Brendan Griffin
Question:408. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice the number of tasers currently available to Garda; her plans in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56196/23]
View answerThursday, 14 December 2023
Questions (408)
Written answers
As the Deputy will be aware the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes the provision of equipment and the allocation of resources to specialist units. As Minister, I have no role in this matter.
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that it is the policy of An Garda Síochána not to make any public statement regarding operational and security matters that would disclose sensitive information regarding the operational deployment capabilities of An Garda Síochána. This includes the number of tasers and firearms available to An Garda Síochána.
Following the scenes of violent disorder in Dublin on 23 November, the Garda Commissioner, in consultation with his senior management team, has moved quickly to strengthen some aspects of the equipment used in policing serious public order incidents. These include the deployment of tasers to an increased number of appropriately trained and qualified Gardaí, among other measures such as the deployment of stronger incapacitant spray to all Gardaí and he is considering the provision of smaller round shields to public order units which are already equipped with long and medium shields.