More than 2,000 gardaí driving without adequate training

More than 2,000 gardaí are reportedly driving official vehicles on Ireland's roads without adequate training.

Reports this morning said garda rules required all members of the force to have completed a basic driver training programme before getting behind the wheel of an official car.

However, this can be bypassed with written permission from a chief superintendent, as long as the garda in question holds a full licence.

That system was initially envisaged as a temporary measure, but this morning's reports said Justice Minister Michael McDowell had confirmed that more than 2,000 gardaí were now driving official vehicles under the measure.

The large numbers driving without adequate training is believed to be linked to the fact that the Gardaí can only provide training for 720 officers every year.

Fine Gael TD Jim O'Keefe has expressed concern about the situation, saying it is worrying that large numbers of untrained gardaí could be involved in high-speed pursuits in high-powered cars.