Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 January 2024
1022. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice the number of instances in 2021, 2022 and to-date in 2023 in which bombs, grenades or improvised explosive devices have been used; and the number of occasions in that period when An Garda Síochána sought the assistance of the Army ordnance unit to manage such devices. [56708/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including for operational policing. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
However, to be of assistance I sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána and have been advised that An Garda Síochána do not have a structured incident type on the PULSE system for the incidents referred to by the Deputy. As such, it is not possible to provide figures for these incidents in the manner requested.
In relation to the number of occasions in 2021, 2022, and 2023 where the assistance of the Defence Forces Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) was requested, I am informed, following consultation with the Department of the Defence, that the number of EOD operational taskings were as follows:
76 during 2021
61 during 2022
74 during 2023
The operations of the Defence Forces are of course a matter for my colleague the Minister for Defence, and as Minister for Justice I have no role in these matters.
