Paul Nicholas Gogarty
Question:113 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Defence if the Defence Forces have been issued with, or will be issued with, less than lethal weapons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28813/04]
View answerWednesday, 17 November 2004
Questions (79)
Written answers
The introduction of less lethal weapons for use by the Defence Forces in the course of aid to the civil power duties is the subject of ongoing consideration in my Department. The consideration of the use of a limited less lethal capacity by the Defence Forces follows the proposal of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, noted by Government in November 2002, to authorise the introduction of a limited range of less-lethal weapons for use by the Garda emergency response unit, ERU, where this is necessary to avoid the use of firearms. The less lethal weapons for use by the Garda ERU are the bean bag shot, a pepper spray device and a ferret pepper spray shot.
Any decision to introduce less-lethal weapons for use by the Defence Forces acting in aid to the civil power in Ireland will be on the basis that the capabilities of the Defence Forces in this area will not exceed the capabilities of the Garda ERU.
If a decision is taken to provide the Defence Forces with less lethal weapons, the lead will be taken from the Garda Síochána. We will provide the Defence Forces with the same weapons and the weapons will only be deployed by the Defence Forces acting in aid to the civil power in the same limited situations that the gardaí intend to use them.
The Defence Forces have recently conducted evaluation tests on 40 mm bean bag ammunition. I am awaiting receipt of the evaluation report at which stage a decision will be made as to whether to proceed with the purchase of a small amount of such ammunition with which the Defence Forces can provide a graduated response acting in aid to the civil power adhering to the principle of absolute minimum force at all times.
Question No. 114 answered with QuestionNo. 63.
Question No. 115 answered with QuestionNo. 85.