Modern, fit-for-purpose Garda vehicles vital for proper working of Traffic Corps – Farrell

“In Budget 2015, €7 million was allocated to purchase 370 new Garda vehicles. This brings to €27.5 million the figure that has been spent on new Garda vehicles between 2012 and 2015. This investment has had an immediate positive effect on the operation of the Traffic Corps”, says Alan Farrell, Fine Gael TD for Dublin Fingal and member of the Oireachtas Justice Committee.

“The provision of these new Garda vehicles comes in conjunction with the recent recruitment of 300 new Gardaí, marking this Government’s commitment to supporting an Garda Síochána in tackling and preventing crime.

“The fact that we are now in a position to invest in our Garda service is encouraging and the benefit of this investment can already be seen. Approximately 79,000 Mandatory Alcohol Testing (MAT) checkpoints were conducted in 2014, up 39% from the 57,568 carried out in 2010. These figures highlight the importance of equipping Gardaí with modern, fit-for purpose vehicles and technology.

“This need for access to up-to-date technology extends outside of the Traffic Corps and into other areas of Garda operations. There is a great need for investment in ICT and this is something that will happen as part of the ongoing Justice Reform Programme.”