James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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439. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the counter unmanned aerial vehicle capabilities that An Garda Síochána possess currently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53602/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by An Garda Síochána that they have invested in Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems equipment in line with best international policing and security practices.

For security reasons, the specifics of these capabilities cannot be shared.

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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440. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of knives seized by Gardai in 2024 and for the first nine months of 2025, in tabular form. [53615/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I strongly condemn the use of knives to threaten, intimidate or harm others. I am committed to ensuring that communities are safe and tackling knife crime is an important element of that.

Long term, evidence-based strategies are needed that address knife crime as part of a wider strategic response to anti-social behaviour, street violence, youth offending and domestic violence.

There is, however, a comprehensive and robust legal framework in place in Ireland with respect to knife crime. Last year, legislation was introduced which increased the maximum penalty for the offences of possession of a knife with intent to cause injury, trespassing with a knife, and producing a knife to unlawfully intimidate another person, from five to seven years imprisonment.

In addition, the Government doubled the maximum penalty for assault causing harm to 10 years, in 2023. The offence of assault causing serious harm already has a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

The below table, provided by Garda authorities outlines the number of knives that have been seized by Gardaí in 2024 and Q1 to Q3 in 2025:

The Deputy may be interested to note, An Garda Síochána recently released a knife related crime analysis report on their website at the following link:

www.garda.ie/en/about-us/publications/general-reports/knife-related-crime-2015-to-2024.pdf

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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441. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda public order unit vans attached to Meath/Westmeath Division as of 1 October 2025; if he will provide same figures as of 1 October 2021, in tabular form. [53616/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána under Section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, which includes all operational policing matters, such as the allocation and deployment of Garda resources, and determining the manner in which Garda resources are to be distributed and stationed throughout the State. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that, as of 30 September 2025, there were 3,678 vehicles attached to the Garda fleet. This represents an increase of over 18% since the end of December 2020.

Garda authorities have provided the below table which shows the number of Vans allocated to Public Order duty in the Meath/Westmeath Division as at 30 September 2021 and 30 September 2025.

The purchase and allocation of vehicles by An Garda Síochána is made on the basis of identified operational demands, the availability of resources and is reviewed on a continual basis.

In the interest of transparency An Garda Síochána publishes detailed information on the Garda fleet from 2008 to date. Information in relation to the number of Garda vans and cars is publicly available and can be found at the following link:

www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/finance-services/finance-fleet-management.html

The Deputy should select Finance Fleet Management and access the file titled “Fleet Management Report July 2025” for a breakdown of Garda vehicles as at 31 July 2025.