Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

The Garda Síochána has a range of facilities available to it for firearms training and plans are well under way for the provision of dedicated and improved facilities for the force. Currently the Garda makes use of military ranges; the Garda specialist training units have access to 12 of these ranges countrywide. In addition, the Garda Síochána last year procured three virtual firearms automated training systems for marksmanship training. I spoke to a number of detectives recently who rated these virtual ranges very highly. They regard them as being of superior quality. These facilities are now in use in Limerick, Mullingar and at the Garda indoor firing range in the Phoenix Park, Dublin. I understand from the Garda authorities that the facilities represent a major improvement and contribution to the training capacity of the force.

The Garda Síochána has detailed plans to provide an enhanced range of firearms and tactical training facilities, including dedicated indoor firearms training facilities, for the force. The existing indoor firearms range at Garda headquarters in Dublin is to be replaced by a new underground facility. It is planned that this will be undertaken as part of the provision of new forensic science laboratory facilities, which project is under way. Firearms training capabilities, in addition to a broad range of other tactical training facilities, are to be developed at recently purchased lands near the Garda Training College at Templemore. The new centre which extends over 250 acres will, in conjunction with offering indoor and outdoor firearms training, provide for a full range of outdoor tactical training initiatives. These will cover public order, detective school training, the mountain bike, equestrian, dog and water units, surveillance training, etc. The centre will also be used for driver training for various vehicle types, including off-road training, and a broad range of other requirements. The Office of Public Works is examining proposals to use facilities provided by the private sector to serve firearms training needs for the Dublin metropolitan region and eastern seaboard area.

On the Deputy's question on the use of PSNI indoor firing ranges, the Garda authorities inform me that, due to regulations relating to the carrying of firearms and ammunition to other jurisdictions and the logistics of having a high number of personnel travelling to Northern Ireland, it is not practical for the Garda Síochána to use PSNI facilities for training purposes. However, the current investment plans for enhanced firearms facilities will be fully sufficient to meet the operational requirements of the force within this jurisdiction.

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