Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 December 2025
199. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total number of Garda motorcycles currently in the Garda fleet; the number in active operational service; the number undergoing repair or awaiting replacement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68492/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra201. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Garda motorcycles currently deployed specifically for roads policing/traffic duties; the proportion this represents of the overall roads policing unit fleet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68494/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra202. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for a regional breakdown (Dublin, Eastern, Southern, Northwestern) of Garda motorcycles currently operational. [68495/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra203. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Garda motorcycles that have been procured in each of the past five years; and the number due for replacement based on age or mileage. [68496/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra205. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the distribution of Garda motorcycles between urban and rural divisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68499/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra206. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the average age and mileage of the Garda motorcycle fleet; and the number currently out of service due to maintenance requirements. [68500/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra207. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Garda motorcycles assigned to road safety and speed-monitoring operations such as Operation Slow Down, National Roads Policing Days of Action, and similar initiatives; and the outcomes of these operations over the past three years. [68501/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 199, 201, 202, 203, 205, 206 and 207 together.
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. This includes all operational policing and responsibility for the allocation and deployment of resources and personnel available to him, including the Garda fleet.
An Garda Síochána publishes detailed information on the Garda fleet from 2008 to date, including the total number of Garda motorcycles in the Garda fleet. Monthly Fleet reports are currently available from 2020 to date. This is available on the Garda website at the following link: www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/finance-services/finance-fleet-management.html.
The total number of motorcycles in the Garda fleet broken down by Division and District and the numbers of motorcycles removed from and assigned to the fleet from 2020 to date are available in the Fleet Reports.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that a comprehensive service repair and maintenance programme is in place to ensure that all vehicles are operating to manufacturers specifications.
All vehicles on the Garda fleet are operated up to the manufacturer’s durability limits or uneconomic repair, irrespective of age. It is not possible to give an accurate figure for vehicles currently off the road for maintenance as this changes daily.
I am also informed that the average age of the Garda motorcycle fleet is 5.4 years and the average mileage is 40,907 kilometres.
The Garda authorities have provided the following breakdown of motorcycle procurements in the last five years:
|
Year |
No. of Motorcycles |
|
2021 |
1 |
|
2022 |
1 |
|
2023 |
12 |
|
2024 |
38 |
|
2025 |
4 |
|
Total |
56 |
The purchase and allocation of vehicles is made on the basis of identified operational demands, the availability of resources and is reviewed on a continual basis.
An Garda Siochana Fleet Management have received budget approval for the purchase of a significant number of motorcycles as part of their 2026 Purchase Plan. The exact number will be confirmed over the coming weeks.
The Garda Authorities have also provided the following table with the number of Garda motorcycles currently deployed for Roads Policing duties and the proportion this represents of the overall Roads Policing unit:
|
Vehicle |
Total |
% of Roads Policing fleet |
|
Cars |
186 |
60.59 |
|
Vans |
5 |
1.63 |
|
Motorbikes |
92 |
29.97 |
|
4x4 |
23 |
7.49 |
|
Other |
1 |
0.32 |
|
Total |
307 |
100% |
