asked the Minister for Justice if, in relation to the law regarding the carrying of dangerous knives, he has any proposals to amend it or to enforce the existing law in the matter if he regards it as adequate.
32.
Written Answers. - Offensive Weapons Legislation.
21.
asked the Minister for Justice the plans, if any, he has to outlaw the sale of knives, crossbows and other offensive weapons in this country along the lines of the action recently announced by the British Home Secretary; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 32 together.
Under existing law it is an offence for a person to be armed with any offensive weapon or to have upon him any instrument with intent to commit a felony.
For reasons which have been explained in this House on previous occasions, I could not undertake to indicate, by way of reply to parliamentary questions, what specific legislative proposals I might have in a particular area. I can, however, assure the Deputies that the question of appropriate controls on offensive weapons generally is kept under periodic review in consultation with the Garda authorities.