Vol. 325 No. 6
asked the Minister for Justice if he will indicate the number of rounds per minute which can be fired by the most rapidly firing gun issued to gardaí if he is satisfied that such guns can be used in public places; and if the safety of innocent bystanders can be guaranteed.
16.
asked the Minister for Justice if there are instructions issued by the authorities under which an armed member of the Garda may fire a gun in a public place.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 16 together.
I am satisfied that it would not be in the public interest to disclose information about any particular type of firearm carried by the Garda Síochána or to specify its capabilities. It is not for me, as Minister for Justice, to assess or pronounce on the merits of one type of firearm as against another either in the context of efficiency or safety but I am informed by the Garda authorities that they are satisfied that the firearms carried by members of the force are suitable for use in public places.
The members of the Garda Síochána who are authorised to carry firearms have detailed instructions as to the circumstances in which the firearms may be used, whether in public places or otherwise, those instructions have always been treated as confidential but I can say that they are intended to ensure that the use of firearms by the Garda will always be restricted to circumstances where the use is lawful and that they are also designed to promote a highly developed awareness of the responsibility, in human terms, attaching even to the lawful use of firearms.
Neverthless, having regard to the increases in armed crime in recent years which has necessitated an increase in the numbers of members of the force to whom firearms are issued, it is only prudent to have a fresh and very careful look at the instructions to see if any changes would be desirable and that is being done now.
I am sure the Minister remembers the case of a man who was shot standing waiting for a bus. I appreciate the difficulties regarding these cases but at the same time there is considerable public disquiet. Would the Minister agree that in the North of Ireland the people know the instructions given to the Military there on yellow cars? Is it not comparable to that? In those circumstances should the public not know the conditions under which they may be shot by a member of the security forces?
The Deputy knows that up to now instructions given in relation to the use of firearms are confidential. However, I am examining that precedent.
When will the Minister have completed his investigation?
I can only say that I asked the Garda Commissioner six or eight weeks ago to prepare——
Will it be in the new year?
In the new year.
