Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

2069. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the ages currently of the boats within the Garda water unit; the average lifespan of each category of boat in use within the Garda water unit; and if funding is available for the replacement of the oldest boats in use. [42806/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda organisation is central to this policy.

The Garda Vote in Budget 2025 saw unprecedented funding of over €2.48 billion for this year, a 27% increase since 2020 which is supporting the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff, and increased resources for An Garda Síochána.

Under the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration, deployment and recruitment of Garda personnel. While the Garda Commissioner is operationally responsible for the allocation of Garda resources, I engage regularly with him to ensure our Gardaí have the resources they need.

The Garda Water Unit is a national resource based at Santry Garda Station, Dublin Metropolitan Region and Garycastle, Athlone, Co. Westmeath and is under the direction and control of Assistant Commissioner, Organised and Serious Crime.

I am informed that the unit provides a full dive and marine capability throughout the State and responds to requests for assistance from within An Garda Síochána and relevant agencies.

As of February of this year, the latest date for which information is available, the unit has two patrol boats, four rigid inflatable boats (RIB’s) and six inflatable boats.

The two Garda Water Unit patrol boats are in use from 2000 and 2006 respectively. The Rigid Inflatable Boats were allocated to the Garda Water Unit in 2007 and are due to be replaced in the near future. The six inflatable boats are in use from 2009 to 2012 and will be replaced when no longer serviceable for GWU needs. There is no plan to replace the Garda Patrol Boats as they currently have the operational capacity to service the full range of needs required by the GWU.

I am informed that a well-serviced boat can be expected to be operational for a time period in the region of twenty years. I am advised by Garda authorities that the equipment fitted is regularly serviced and upgraded when necessary, meaning some boats are in operation for longer than twenty years, and some require replacement before that.

Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

2070. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of fines that the Garda National Immigration Bureau issued to airlines and or ferry companies who permitted a non-national to travel here without the necessary entry or transit visa in 2024 and to-date in 2025, in tabular form. [42807/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Implementing effective border security arrangements is a priority for me, and the Programme for Government commits to developing a border security strategy to deliver stronger border security. Carriers such as airlines and ferry companies play an essential role in protecting and upholding our borders and they are obliged to ensure their passengers have the necessary valid passports, ID cards and visas to travel to Ireland.

An Garda Síochána has responsibility for issuing carrier liability notices and warnings, and for the imposition of carrier liability fines on carriers who permit a non-national to travel with their airline or ferry without the necessary documentation i.e. no documents, false document, no visa or improper use of genuine documents.

I am advised by the Garda Commissioner that 914 fines were issued in 2024. Figures for 2025 are not yet available.

In early 2024, a review was initiated of Ireland’s carrier liability standards as the level of fines had remained unchanged since the commencement of the legislation in 2003. This review recommended an increase in penalties (from €3,000 to €5,000) for carriers who do not take sufficient action to ensure passengers travelling to Ireland have appropriate travel documentation upon embarkment. The increase brought Ireland into closer alignment with the penalties imposed on carriers across Europe.

The Border Management Unit (BMU) of my Department and the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) are working closely with airlines on a range of measures to ensure that passengers have such documentation when boarding. This includes delivering in-person training to relevant airline ground-handling staff on immigration requirements and false travel documentation. BMU officials are also available 24/7 to assist airlines with any immigration queries.

Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

2071. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of mountain bikes training courses held for gardaí within Clare-Tipperary Division in the years of 2024 and to-date in 2025, and the number of Gardai that attended each course, in tabular form. [42808/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, it has not been possible to compile the information in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is available.

Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

2072. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Gardaí, by rank, attached to the Garda dog unit as of 22 July 2025. [42809/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am informed by the Garda authorities that as of 30 June 2025 there is one Sergeant and nine Gardaí attached to the Garda Dog Unit.

The Garda Dog Unit is based at Kilmainham Garda Station, in the Dublin Metropolitan Region and has a national remit. It operates under the direction and control of Assistant Commissioner, Organised and Serious Crime and the operational strategic control of Detective Chief Superintendent, Operational Support Services.

Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

2074. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Gardaí in roads policing units in June 2025, by division; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42836/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Road safety is a shared responsibility. The whole of Government response is led by the Department of Transport and is taken very seriously across Government.

An Garda Síochána plays a vital role in enforcing road traffic law and in making our roads safer for all road users, including vulnerable road users.

Road traffic laws are enforced by Gardaí assigned to Roads Policing and as part of the day-to-day duties of uniformed Gardaí nationwide. This includes a programme of high-visibility road safety and enforcement operations carried out in partnership with other state agencies

I am advised by the Garda authorities that the allocation of additional resources for specialist units within An Garda Síochána, including the regional Roads Policing Units, is considered on an ongoing basis. The allocation of additional personnel will be considered in the context of the overall requirements of the organisation including specialist bureaux and frontline operational divisions.

In the interest of transparency, An Garda Síochána publish information in relation to the number of active members of An Garda Síochána, including the Roads Policing Units by Division, from 2009 to the most available date in 2025, which is publicly available and can be found at the following link:

www.garda.ie/garda/en/about-us/our-departments/human-resources-and-people-development/garda-hr-directorate/garda-strength-breakdown-2025/may-2025.html.