Jim O'Callaghan
Question:112. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí in each division who have received tactical awareness training in tabular form. [38172/16]
View answerThursday, 1 December 2016
Questions (112, 113)
Jim O'Callaghan
Question:113. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí in each division who have received firearm awareness training in tabular form. [38173/16]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 112 and 113 together.
As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for carrying on and managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including by arranging for the training of its members and civilian staff and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.
I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Commissioner and I will write to the Deputy on receipt of same.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
I refer to Parliamentary Questions No. 112 and No. 113 for answer on Thursday 1st, December, 2016.
At the time I responded that I would request the information from the Garda Commissioner on the specific query raised by you and that I would write to you on receipt of same.
I am advised by the Commissioner that the information requested on the number of Gardaí in each division who have received firearm awareness training or tactical awareness training is deemed to be operationally sensitive and cannot be disclosed for security reasons.
I am further advised by the Commissioner that members of the RSU (Armed Regional Support Unit) receive tactical training in order that they can respond to and provide a tactical response to crisis incidents. In 2015, 215 members of An Garda Síochána received tactical refresher training and, as of the 8th December 2016, the latest date for which figures are readily available, 28 members had received tactical refresher training.
The disparity in figures between 2015 and 2016 was due to the requirement to provide tactical and firearms training to the new established Armed Support Unit in the DMR Region which reduced the capability of the Firearms Training Unit to provide refresher tactical training in 2016.
I have also been advised that since January 2007, each Garda member who is authorised to carry firearms on duty is required to attend two live fire refresher firearms courses and one judgemental firearms training course each year. Judgemental firearms training involves and requires detailed analysis of the law pertaining to the use of force, with particular reference to the European Convention on Human Rights. Each Divisional Officer has oversight of firearms training in their respective Divisions.
The Firearms Training Unit has responsibility for providing firearms related training to members of An Garda Síochána. Basic Firearms courses are offered to Divisions based on their operational requirements. Members attending for refresher will be assessed on Range Safety, Weapon Safety and accuracy.
Regional Support Unit members receive training throughout the calendar year in firearms, less lethal options (e.g. Taser, Beanbag, Distraction Device) and Tactical training.
Members of specialist sections, such as the Emergency Response Unit (ERU), perform additional and more frequent firearms and other tactical training,
due to the nature of the duties they perform.
I hope this information is of assistance.