Joe Higgins
Ceist:192 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the person who supplied the Garda with the two water cannons used on May Day 2004 in the Ashtown area. [13917/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 12 May 2004
Ceisteanna (172, 173, 174, 175, 176)
Joe Higgins
Ceist:193 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the nature and details of any agreement with the suppliers of the water cannons to the Garda Síochána including whether they were purchased or leased or loaned; the location of the two water cannons now; and if it is intended to acquire such apparatus on a permanent basis. [13918/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraJoe Higgins
Ceist:195 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when negotiations began with the suppliers of the water cannons used by the Garda in the Ashtown area on May Day 2004; and when a decision was made to acquire the apparatus. [13920/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 192, 193 and 195 together.
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that in April 2004, in considering the range of tactical options available through co-operation on public law and order to ensure the safety of the public in dealing with unruly protests, the Garda Commissioner entered into a service level agreement for the loan of two water cannons from the Police Service of Northern Ireland. The water cannons were procured for the period 18 April 2004 to 5 May 2004, inclusive, and have since been returned.
I have been further informed that the Garda Síochána will assess the operational requirements for water cannons on an ongoing basis.
Joe Higgins
Ceist:194 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the person who gave the order to use water cannons in the Ashtown area on May Day 2004; and the reason this decision was made when the situation clearly did not warrant such a disproportionate response. [13919/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the Garda authorities that the decision to use water cannons on May Day 2004 at Ashtown was taken by the senior Garda commander at the scene.
The deployment of water cannons was part of a graduated Garda response to unfolding events. The water cannons were deployed following physical injury to a garda and continuous attacks on the Garda cordon.
Question No. 195 answered with QuestionNo. 192.
Joe Higgins
Ceist:196 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if Garda personnel operated the water cannons used in the Ashtown area on May Day 2004; and the persons who trained the operators. [13921/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been informed by the Garda authorities that the water cannons in use in the Ashtown area on 1 May 2004 were operated by members of the Garda Síochána. I have been further informed that a total of 19 members of the Garda Síochána received training in the tactical command and use of water cannons from the Police Service of Northern Ireland.