Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)

In April 2007, Chief Inspector Kathleen O'Toole said she was frightened at the resources available to members of the Garda Síochána, in terms of firearms and protective clothing. Has that situation improved? She gave a particular incident to which gardaí were called where a person was using a serious weapon outside his own house. In the event, the gardaí turned up with just a Smith and Wesson revolver to deal with the situation.

Will the Minister assure the House that firearms and bullet-proof vests available to the Garda Síochána are of an approved standard? Is he satisfied that sufficient numbers of gardaí are competent in using firearms?

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