The Garda Representative Association (GRA) has long campaigned for greater investment in the Garda fleet to ensure vehicles used on front-line duties are as modern and safe as possible.
At its annual conference in April, GRA delegates instructed the association's central executive that if steps were not taken by September last on upgrading the fleet they would consider some form of industrial action.
Since then a working group has been set up within An Garda Síochána comprising senior management, fleet managers and GRA representatives.
The working group has been considering what vehicles are used by other European police forces, with a view to implementing EU best practice here. The group's final report is expected within weeks.
GRA president Mr Dermot O'Donnell said Garda cars currently in use were no different from family saloon cars apart from their livery.
Since the accident at the centre of yesterday's court case took place, six gardaí had been killed in car crashes while working, he said.
Ideally Garda cars would be fitted with a number of anchor points - secure storage units for torches and hand-held radios - in order that equipment did not become missiles during high-speed chases or collisions.
Mr O'Donnell also said consideration should be given to acquiring vehicles with extra airbags, anti-roll bars and reinforced side panels which would protect gardaí if their car was rammed or collided with another vehicle.
The Garda fleet currently numbers around 2,000 vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, minibuses, lorries, vans and four-wheel drives.
In 2002, 492 vehicles were purchased at a cost of almost €9 million. This reduced the average age of a Garda vehicle from 3.6 years to 2.75 years.
Last year a further 302 vehicles were acquired. The force has also taken delivery of a small number of Saab cars which are currently being tested for possible introduction.
