Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that, as of 28 February 2008, there are 3,377 members of the Garda Síochána who are competent in the use of firearms and who are authorised firearms card holders. This includes members of specialist units such as the special detective unit as well as a percentage of uniformed gardaí. A Garda working group on firearms training recommended that not more than 10% of the uniformed divisional strength, in addition to the detective branch, should be authorised or trained in firearms. This enables high standards of training to be focused first and foremost on those members attached to units which are engaged in the investigation of serious crime and who are available when required.

An Garda Síochána has just taken delivery of a dedicated firearms training range at the Garda College, Templemore. This is an indoor four-lane modular live fire range. A second similar indoor four-lane modular live fire range is being installed in Dublin and it is envisaged this range will be operational by April 2008. These prefabricated modular firearms ranges are newly designed products and will facilitate live fire shooting for up to four persons in a carefully contained environment which adheres to all range safety requirements.

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