David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Can I, with the Deputy's permission, add to that question? I notice that in the Garda Commissioner's report, the annual review of the operation of the Firearms Act, 2005 to 2009, that the figure quoted by Deputy Mac Lochlainn is mentioned in the context of 2010 to 2013. In the year 2013, 355 weapons were stolen. How many of those were stolen from individuals as opposed to from firearms dealerships? Can we get information on that? Also, the report states that a further 159 firearms were lost in the same four year period, 53 of which were reported lost in 2013. A firearm is a very serious piece of kit. Can we get some information as to what is meant by "lost"? How can somebody lose a gun? Maybe I am missing something obvious here but if I had a gun I would be very careful about where I kept it and I would not lose it. I ask the witnesses to enlighten us on that point.