asked the Minister for Justice if he has considered any methods by which under present legislation the sale of knives to young people could be prevented.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sale of Knives.
67.
Mr. O'Leary
I have considered the problem but there is no method whereby control on the sale or possession of knives by young people could be exercised under existing law. I have already informed the Dáil that legislation to control the sale and possession of dangerous weapons generally, including flick-knives, is under preparation at present.
I must stress, however, that knives that have been used in recent incidents publicised in the newspapers are of widely different kinds, most of them having perfectly legitimate uses. Indeed, a great number were ordinary pen-knives. A prohibition on the sale of such knives to young persons or on their possession by young persons would not be reasonable.