Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 3 Oct 2001

Vol. 541 No. 2

Written Answers. - Garda Supplies.

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue):

I am informed by the Garda authorities that there have been three tender competitions for the supply of ammunition to the Garda Síochána since 1 January 1998. Details of the amounts, in rounds, tendered for in each year and the actual amounts that were received/purchased – also in rounds – are as follows:

Year	Tendered For	Received/Purchased
1998	1,524,000	813,000
1999	1,774,000	500,000
2000	1,790,000	1,462,000
2001		1,758,000
Total	5,088,000	4,533,000

I am also informed that the cost of the ammunition was £624,000 and that it was purchased primarily for training and operational purposes. In this regard, it is incumbent on Garda management to ensure that members who carry firearms on duty are trained to the highest level of proficiency. In order to attain and maintain this proficiency, members undergo training at regular intervals which results in the current requirement for ammunition.

I am further informed by the Garda authorities that ammunition is normally issued and expended within a 12 to 15 month period. It should be noted, however, that when tendering for ammunition, the date that tenders issue seeking ammunition to the date of its actual delivery has to be considered. This can vary from 12 to 26 weeks. Therefore, ammunition ordered in one year may not be received until the following year.