Mr. Desmond Crofton:

From my knowledge, the figure thrown out includes a range of firearms, some of which most certainly have not been stolen from licensed firearms owners, and we know this. We need a breakdown of the figure and we have asked for it. From my knowledge, because I drafted some of the questions for Members of the Oireachtas - I am sorry Deputy Collins has left, because he asked it on a number of occasions - the answer from the Minister has always been that the Garda Commissioner has been asked to compile the statistic and it will be provided when it is to hand. The breakdown of the statistic has never been provided. The question has been framed to provide clarity on the statistical data from the overall figure being sought. It has never been given. A figure is thrown out in the report as a supporting statistic for the connection between lawfully owned firearms and criminal use of firearms.

I would say to this committee and to whoever cares to listen that it is not acceptable in that form. If one is going to use a statistic, one must stand it up and we have asked for that to be done.