Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 July 2021
137. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice if a firearm and knife amnesty will be considered; if she has studied the success or otherwise of such initiatives in other jurisdictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36756/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to extend my deepest sympathies to those who have been impacted by recent violent incidents. The Government is very conscious of the dangers presented by knife crime, and indeed all violent assaults. Clearly any stabbing has the potential to cause irreparable physical harm and tragic consequences and the Government is determined to ensure that similar problems to those which have developed in neighbouring jurisdictions do not develop here in Ireland.
As the Deputy may be aware, the Justice Plan 2021 commits to reviewing Garda powers in relation to dangerous weapons, including knives, to ensure they have the necessary legal tools to protect our communities. My Department is also analysing existing data, as well as developing new sources of data, and looking at international best practice to inform policy in this area.
I have also proposed that a subgroup of the Anti-Social Behaviour Forum (which I chair) should be established to examine knife crime issues and to develop proposals for practical measures, including community-based programmes, and for legislative amendments, if deemed appropriate and necessary.
While I understand the objective of conducting an amnesty in the face of very tragic incidents involving the use of knives, the consistent expert advice from An Garda Síochána is that such an amnesty is not likely to yield any significant benefits. Indeed it is well understood that, in many instances, ordinary household/kitchen knives are used in such crimes and it has not been the experience that knives of this type are handed in during any amnesty. Similarly, the type of firearms handed in during a firearms amnesty are not the type of firearms generally used in violent gun attacks and consequently, an amnesty would have little effect on such activity.
Minister McEntee and Commissioner Harris, who met earlier this year on the issue, also agreed that further analysis is needed to provide greater insights into the level of violent incidents in society. My Department and An Garda Síochána will remain in contact on the issue and will also engage with colleagues in public health on the matter.
