I propose to take Questions Nos. 317 to 323, inclusive, together.
The case which the Deputy refers to in his questions was substantially dealt with by my colleague, the Minister for Defence in response to Parliamentary Questions from the Deputy on 12 December.
With regard to the extent of the involvement of the Garda Síochána in this case, I am informed by the Garda authorities that the particular incident referred to by the Deputy was not the subject of a Garda investigation. I am further informed that it is the responsibility of the Defence Forces to carry out investigations concerning the alleged theft of arms, ammunition, equipment and supplies which are the property of the Defence Forces. In these circumstances it is not a matter for the Garda authorities or myself to comment on the level of co-operation with the investigation. Hence, there was no question of a re-investigation by the Garda authorities in the 1990s and no such investigation took place. There are no outstanding warrants held by the Garda Síochána against the person in question.
In relation to the visit to the home of the person who is the subject of these questions, I am informed by the Garda authorities that the purpose of this visit was to follow up on correspondence that the person had sent to the office of the Garda Commissioner and it was not in the context of any investigation.
The Garda authorities have informed me that they have no record of the firearm referred to in the question being used in any incident since its disappearance nor have they a record of its recovery.
