I am informed by the Garda authorities that two water cannons were received on loan from the Police Service of Northern Ireland by the Garda Síochána. In compliance with the Roads Act 1920, as amended, these vehicles were the subject of a special importation certification issued by the Revenue Commissioners and the relevant local authority registration marks were subsequently issued. In accordance with statutory requirements, vehicles imported for use in the State are re-registered with Irish number plates. The Garda authorities are of the view that as the water cannons were required for Garda operational reasons, the most appropriate course of action in this case was to reregister them with Irish number plates.