Vol. 572 No. 6
357 Mr. S. Power asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the weapons the US military are allowed to carry while on Irish soil; if they are allowed to carry tear gas or any substance containing tear gas while on Irish soil; the person who controls the weapons used and carried by Marines while outside US Embassy ground; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24249/03]
The Firearms Acts 1925 to 2000 provide that it shall not be lawful for any person to have in their possession, use or carry any firearm or ammunition save in so far as such possession, use or carriage is authorised by a firearm certificate granted under the Acts. A tear gas cartridge is an explosive charge under the Explosives Act 1875 and a gun for firing a tear gas cartridge is a firearm under the Firearms Acts. The possession, use or carriage of firearms or explosives by non-national military personnel outside the confines of an embassy are subject to legislation in the normal manner, as noted above.
