Some 2,600 gardaí are driving official vehicles without full training, 587 more than two years ago, latest figures reveal. David Labanyireports.
Under Garda rules, an officer must complete a basic driver training course before being allowed to drive an official car.
However, this requirement can be circumvented under "chief's permission". This is a process by which the local chief superintendent gives written permission to a garda if he or she has not yet received the required basic training, though they hold a full driving licence.
It was conceived as a short-term measure to accommodate training delays at specific stations.
However, a Dáil reply to Fine Gael Transport spokesman Fergus O'Dowd from the Minister for Justice Brian Lenihan, shows that as of November 30th, 2007, the last full-year for which figures are available, "the number of Garda members driving on 'Chief Superintendent's Authorisation' was 2,600".
Almost two years ago, there were 2,013 gardaí driving under "chief's permission" and the then Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell, said the capacity of the Garda driving school was being examined.
Mr O'Dowd said last night that he hoped the "Garda are working to address this situation as Garda drivers face high pressured and unusual motoring conditions. Making sure that all Garda drivers are ready for the roads is in their own best interest."
Mr Lenihan's reply did not address Mr O'Dowd's question of how many members of the Garda Traffic Corps are driving under "chief's permission".