Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

The equipment has been furnished to the ERU which has been fully trained in its use, whatever it is. We are considering the use of the Taser gun which fires a projectile consisting of an electrode stunning the victim electrically. It has been used in the United Kingdom and other places. It is an effective weapon but can cause problems.

The Deputy expresses some degree of impatience with the inspectorate's report. It is considering the issue of the Abbeylara report in the round, not just these weapons. Its task is to return to me next month to tell me whether the internal response by the Garda Síochána to the Abbeylara report has been adequate. There was a very complete response to the criticisms of the procedure set out by Mr. Justice Barr. I await independent third party verification as to whether changes in its methods and training in response to that report have been adequate.

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