All Cabinet ministers will get garda drivers from next month

Switch from civilian drivers to gardaí was prompted by the security concerns of Garda Commissioner Drew Harris

Garda Commisioner Drew Harris recommended earlier this year that ministers' civilian drivers should be replaced by gardaí on grounds of security. File picture: Gareth Chaney/ Collins

Garda protection drivers are to be assigned to all Cabinet ministers from next month, on foot of a security recommendation from Garda Commissioner Drew Harris.

Up to 40 garda officers have been recruited to staff a driver pool for ministers, and a number of new luxury cars have been procured.