Vol. 248 No. 3
asked the Minister for Defence if he will direct that CS gas will not be used by the Army when the Army is giving assistance to the Garda Síochána in crowd control having regard to the danger of serious long-term injury to innocent persons in the use of such gas; and, if not, why.
37.
asked the Minister for Defence what steps his Department have taken to advise hospitals as to the best methods for treating persons affected by CS gas; whether any special steps will be taken by the Army to provide immediate medical attention for innocent persons affected by CS gas fired by the Army; and, if not, why.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 36 and 37 together.
I would refer the Deputy to the replies given by me to Questions Nos. 60 to 71 inclusive on the 18th June, 1970. I am not prepared to speculate as to the circumstances in which items of military defensive equipment might be used.
It is not a function of my Department to advise hospitals on medical matters nor is it considered necessary for the Army to take special steps for the provision of medical attention in the circumstances mentioned by the Deputy.
38.
andDr. Browne asked the Minister for Defence whether his Department have participated or are participating with the British or any other government in studying the effects of CS gas on human health; or if there is any intention to avail of the results of these studies.
The answer to the first part of the question is "No". As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the Deputies to my reply to Question No. 40 on 24 June, 1970.
What was the gist of it?
It indicated the reports were available.
Are they being studied by the Minister?
Yes.
39.
asked the Minister for Defence if he is aware of considerable public indignation at the purchase under his authority of CS gas for use by the Army in war and in other circumstances contrary to the Geneva Protocol of 1925; if he will ensure that the gas will not be used in conflict with that protocol; and the uses to which it is proposed to put the gas so that such use will not be in conflict with that protocol.
40.
asked the Minister for Defence if Ireland signified agreement with the Geneva Protocol of 1925 against the use by armed forces of asphyxiating, poisonous or other gases; if so, when; whether the protocol is still in force and binding on the Defence Forces and on the Garda Síochána; whether such gas may be used for any purposes which are not in conflict with that protocol; and, if so, for what purposes and by whom.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 40 together.
The Geneva Protocol of 1925 for the prohibition of the use in war of asphyxiating, poisonous or other gases, and of bacteriological methods of warfare was acceded to by the State on the 29th August, 1930 with a reservation as regards non-reciprocity.
The Protocol is still in force and is binding on the State.
I do not accept that there is considerable public indignation at the purchase of CS for the Army. Its purchase was not contrary to the provisions of the protocol nor would it be used in circumstances which would be in conflict with the State's accession to the protocol. As I have already stated, however, in reply to other questions on this subject, I am not prepared to speculate as to the circumstances in which CS might be used.
