asked the Minister for Justice whether he can give an assurance that no unarmed members of the Garda will be sent to investigate or apprehend in the case of any armed or likely armed robbery.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Investigation of Armed Robberies.
44.
The situation posed in the question is not the kind of situation that arises in practice. The vast majority of alarms that go off are false alarms due to accidental triggering or electrical faults. Accordingly, the suggestion in the question would amount to arming the gardaí on ordinary patrol duty or in patrol cars and this is not contemplated. I would add that it is well recognised by the gardaí themselves that the carrying of firearms would not necessarily reduce the risks which they have to take but could, on the contrary, greatly increase these risks. In fact, the force have let it be known that they would not favour the arming of uniformed members.
My concern here would be that apart from the desirability——
The Deputy has a question to put?
Yes. Having regard to the desirability of apprehending culprits, and more especially the desirability of protecting our garda force, would it not be wise to make sure that in future no unarmed garda will be sent to investigate a bank robbery?
This is a very sensitive area and the fact of the matter is that members of the force themselves do not favour any extension of arming. When one examines the question closely and in detail and without any emotion, one can see that one is straightaway into a very dangerous area if the degree of arming the Garda Síochána is extended.
Would the Minister's colleague consider discussions with the banks about providing their own armed guards?
That is a separate question.
Would it not be possible to have guns available in barracks, particularly in built-up areas, in case they are called to a bank robbery rather than having them in cars? Where the Garda are guarding banks, do the Garda authorities collect money from the banks?
All I would say in this respect is that the Minister for Justice will be entirely guided by the professional advice of the Garda Síochána, literally the guardians of the peace. The tradition of the force has been excellent and the Garda Síochána themselves, the senior officers and the force generally at all levels, are very chary about any extension in this field.
What about the money end of it?
(Cavan): Does the Minister agree that experience has shown that most of these bank raids are carried out by armed men? Does he agree that it appears a little absurd to send unarmed men to apprehend armed men and that it appears to be exposing unarmed gardaí to unnecessary dangers?
I would be advised entirely by the professional competence of the force concerned. They are the people who can best advise.