Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)

I thank Deputy Mitchell for raising the issue. As she has already pointed out, the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, is in committee. He apologises for not being able to take this topic himself.

The Minister thanks the Deputy for raising this matter. In fact, he answered a parliamentary question on 22 May last put down by the Deputy on this same issue. He mentioned to the Deputy, in the reply, that if she provided him with any specific instances of the theft of firearms which she wished him to look into he would gladly raise the matter with the Garda Commissioner. I understand that he did not receive any such information and his Department has not received any similar queries in this regard from anyone else, but he fully accepts that there is an issue in relation to it.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Firearms (Secure Accommodation) Regulations, which came into force in August 2009, are the regulations governing the secure storage of firearms in the home. These regulations set out the minimum security standards outlined on the provision of secure accommodation for those firearms. In general terms, it stipulates that the greater the number of firearms a person has licensed, the higher the requirements of security that must be complied with. These requirements range from a trigger lock being required for one non-restricted shotgun to a monitored alarm service operated by a person licensed by the Private Security Authority and supported by a GSM mobile phone back-up facility for three or more restricted firearms or six or more firearms of any type, kept in the same place, to which the Deputy referred. The Minister has asked me to point out that the use of an apparatus in order to block or interfere with a mobile phone signal is an offence under Irish law. The Wireless Telegraphy Act 1926 provides that a person may be prosecuted summarily or on indictment for the offence of using any apparatus for the purpose of interfering with any wireless telegraphy.

All wireless telegraphy apparatus used in the State must be licensed under section 5 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1926 unless it is specifically subject to an exemption order, for example, GSM and 3G mobile phones. Section 3(2) of the Act provides that it is an offence for a person licensed under the Act to use the apparatus otherwise than in accordance with the terms and conditions subject to which such licence is expressly, or is by virtue of this Act deemed to have been, granted. As provided for in the secure accommodation regulations, the Garda Commissioner is in a position to approve an equivalent standard for alarms, including any alternatives to the current approved standard. Therefore, any changes in this area will be considered following advice from the Garda Commissioner. As the Minister stated recently, the increase in the number of burglaries over the past 12 months is a cause of great concern. He considers that it is too early to see the full impact of the concerted and intelligence-led measures An Garda Síochána have put in place under Operation Fiacla and he knows these are a top priority for the Commissioner and are proactively targeting prolific offenders. Together with good crime prevention and community policing, he feels these measures represent a focused and strategic approach to challenging those involved in this type of criminality and should be reflected in future crime figures. As the Minister stated in reply to the Deputy earlier, he has asked the Garda Commissioner to keep the matter under review. He is acutely aware of the dangers associated with the theft of licensed firearms. As Minister, he is determined to ensure that in the operation of all aspects of the firearms licensing system, the question of public safety is paramount. I will ensure the Deputy's concerns are placed on the Minister's desk.

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