The State has paid out more than €15.2 million to settle claims arising from traffic collisions involving members of An Garda Síochána since 2011.
A parliamentary question shows the overall number of crashes involving Garda members last year was 602, with 54 of those involving members of the force who were driving on so-called ‘chief’s permission’, that is to say without formal Garda driving training but with the sanction of a senior officer.
Overall, the number of crashes involving members while on Garda business dropped last year from 682 the previous year.
Questions to former minister for justice Frances Fitzgerald in recent weeks by Independents4Change TD Tommy Broughan reveal the number of collisions involving members of the force driving on chief's permission fell from 118 in 2013 to 54 last year. There were 114 such incidents in 2014 and 75 in 2015, the figures show.
In total, the number of incidents involving members of An Garda Síochána has been about 600 in every year since 2013, apart from in 2015 when the number was closer to 700.
The cost to the State of settling claims for collisions involving members of the force was nearly €2.7 million in 2011, almost €2 million in 2012 and rose to €3.3 million in 2013. The cost of settling such claims in 2014 and 2015 was €2.2 million and €2.3 million respectively and €2.8million last year.
Insurance
Mr Broughan asked the minister whether different levels of insurance were required and in place for gardaí driving on chief’s permission and those that had completed official Garda driving courses.
In her replies, Ms Fitzgerald said the Garda Commissioner was responsible for managing the administration and business of the force, including by arranging for the training of the members and civilian staff. As minister, she had no direct role in the matter.
She said she had, at Mr Broughan’s request, asked for a report from the Garda authorities on the number of these collisions that resulted in a fatality or injury.
Ms Fitzgerald said she had been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the State Claims Agency provided indemnity to all designated State authorities, which included the Garda.
“This indemnity applies in respect of any claims for personal injury (including those to passengers, service users, the public and employees) and third party property damage associated with authorised use of Garda vehicles on approved Garda business.”