Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 July 2024
387. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice the standard equipment provided to gardaí assigned to the public order unit; where this is provided to every Garda assigned to this unit; and the standard equipment provided to gardaí who have received public order training but are not currently assigned to the public order unit. [29007/24]
View answerThe Government is 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. I was pleased to secure unprecedented funding of over €2.35 billion for this year, a 25% increase since 2020, which is supporting the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff.
As you will appreciate, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including the training of Garda members and staff. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that Gardaí with specialist training in public order policing perform public order duties. Members performing duty with the Garda National Public Order Unit (GNPOU) provide tactical support as well as a graduated policing response to appropriate incidents, while effectively assisting frontline Gardaí.
These Garda members are only required to perform public order duties when operational demands require their deployment, otherwise they are engaged in routine policing duties. The GNPOU is not a full-time unit.
Members trained in public order are deployed from across the organisation for operational requirements when the need arises.
I am further advised that Members of An Garda Síochána that complete the Public Order Training course receive the following equipment:
• Helmet
• Overalls
• Boots
• Gloves
• Polos
• Long Johns
• Kit Bag
• Baseball Cap
• Headover
• Baton & Holder
• Arm Guard
• Leg Guard
• Thigh Guard
• Water Bottle & Holder
