Catherine Murphy
Ceist:
1079. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of members of An Garda Síochána by rank and district who are actively carrying a firearm as part their usual work roster; the procedure for issuing and surrendering a firearm when a shift ends; and the number of gardaí by rank who are permitted to retain their firearm while not on rostered duty and while on call for duty. [33770/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra
The Deputy will appreciate that the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.
I have requested information from the Garda Commissioner in relation to this matter but it was unfortunately not possible to compile it in the time available.
I will write to the Deputy directly with the information requested, when it is available.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to Parliamentary Question Number 1079 for answer on 03 November 2020, in which you requested the number of members of An Garda Síochána by rank and district that are actively carrying a firearm as part of their usual work roster; the procedure for issuing and surrendering a firearm when a shift ends; and the number of Gardaí by rank that are permitted to retain their firearm while not on rostered duty and while on call for duty. You will recall that I undertook to consult with An Garda Síochána and contact you again when the information was available. On foot of these consultations, I can inform you that An Garda Síochána, for policy and security reasons, does not comment on matters of security.
You may wish to note that following an internal review in 2019, a process is currently under way to withdraw firearms from Gardaí who do not require them, mainly detectives not assigned to frontline duty. There is a desire in reducing the number of members carrying guns as An Garda Síochána moves towards a model of having specialist units act as the force’s primary firearms response.
I hope this information is of assistance.
