Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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231. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the procedures that are in place to ensure that a person who is blind or vision impaired can safely identify a member of An Garda Síochána; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37134/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes the enforcement of uniform and dress codes, and the provision of equipment to Garda members. As Minister, I have no direct role in this matter.

I am informed by Garda authorities that, as per the Uniform and Dress Code within An Garda Síochána Policy, Garda members on duty in plain clothes are required to disclose their identity and produce their identification card to any person directly affected by, or properly concerned with, the duty being undertaken. Furthermore, members on duty in uniform are required to produce their identity card when requested by any person directly affected by, or properly concerned with, the duty being undertaken.

I am further informed that An Garda Síochána is constantly seeking innovative methods to provide an inclusive approach to human rights-based policing.

As a result of An Garda Síochána’s commitment to inclusion, a braille adhesive strip for official Garda Warrant/ID Cards was introduced. The purpose of this is to allow Garda members to identify themselves in the course of their duties to braille readers, and is a clear plastic strip with braille impressed upon it reading "Garda/Police" and is or will be attached by each Garda member to the rear of their Garda warrant/ID cards. The adhesive strip has been developed with advice received from the National Council for the Blind of Ireland (Vision Ireland).

Distribution of the adhesive strip was trialled in the DMR North in 2023. Distribution to the rest of the DMR has commenced through designated Inspectors or HEOs. National roll-out commenced in May 2024 with an estimated 12,580 labels being distributed. Any Garda members who have received a new or updated official Garda Warrant/ID Cards in the last 18 months should find the adhesive strip already attached. I am informed that this practice will continue going forward.