Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 December 2020
268. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice if she has given consideration to following the example of the Home Office in the United Kingdom whereby a three-month weapon amnesty has been launched in circumstances in which those involved are compensated for their weapons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43827/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise the Deputy that An Garda Síochána tackles the issue of illegal weapons on a daily basis at both local and national levels through a range of targeted and intelligence based operations, often disrupting and preventing incidents, as well as detecting and prosecuting those involved.
There was a firearms amnesty for a two month period in late 2006. However, that was in the specific context of new licensing arrangements being introduced and represented an opportunity for people to regularise their situation before the heavier penalties provided for in the legislation came into force.
It was not expected that the 2006 Amnesty would result in hardened criminals handing up weapons and it would not be the expected outcome of the introduction of a weapons amnesty now.
Equally, I am not convinced it is desirable to allow people who hold firearms illegally to evade the legal consequences for that.
In regard to other weapons such as knives, the Deputy may wish to be aware that the consistent expert advice from An Garda Síochána is that such an amnesty is not likely to yield any significant benefits. Indeed, in many instances, ordinary household/kitchen knives are used in knife crimes and it has not been the experience that knives of this type are handed in during any amnesty.
I will however, continue to keep this matter under review.
