Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy may be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling the administration and business of An Garda Síochána and for the allocation of Garda resources, in light of operational demands. This includes responsibility for the allocation of equipment among the various Garda divisions. As Minister, I have no direct role in that matter.

The Garda Commissioner is also the Accounting Officer of An Garda Síochána and is responsible for the Garda budget and it's distribution.

I have been informed by Garda authorities that the implementation of mobile fingerprint capabilities is dependent on the implementation of a new biometric (including fingerprint) identification system which would meet the needs of my Department and Justice Sector agencies.

The requirement for the proposed new system was identified in a report commissioned by my Department. Officials within my Department are currently considering same.

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including boats or specialist equipment for the Garda Water Unit. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.

The Garda Water Unit is a national resource based at Santry Garda Station, Dublin Metropolitan Region and Garycastle, Athlone, Co. Westmeath.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that as of 22 April 2024, there were two Patrol boats, four Rigid Inflatable Boats and six Inflatable boats attached to the Garda Water Unit.

I am further informed that the boats allocated to the unit meet the present requirements of the Garda Water Unit to date and that the equipment fitted on the boats is regularly serviced and upgraded when necessary. I am advised that a well serviced boat can last up to twenty years.

I am informed that financial sanction has been approved for the replacement of four rigid inflatable boats and the project is ongoing.

The table below, which was provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the boats attached to the Water unit by age.