Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 7: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has received a response from the chief inspector of the Garda inspectorate, Ms Kathleen O'Toole, to the copy of the Barr report that he sent to her; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41929/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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As I stated when welcoming the publication of the Barr report in July, in accordance with the provisions of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, I chose to forward a copy of the report to the chief inspector of the Garda inspectorate in order that Garda procedures and practices for dealing with incidents of the type which unfolded at Abbeylara might be reviewed. I understand from the Garda inspectorate that work on its report is well advanced and that this will be furnished to me in January 2007.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I thank the Minister for his reply which has taken a long time. I first tabled this question on 1 October and received a similar response, without a date but to the effect that the report was not yet to hand. I hoped the inspectorate would have moved with alacrity.

Since the publication of the Barr report, less than lethal weapons have been issued to the emergency response unit, ERU. The Minister indicated to me in a reply to a previous parliamentary question that three varieties of non-lethal weapon, bean bag shot, pepper spray and ferret pepper spray shot have been issued to the ERU. What are these devices? What evaluation has the ERU made of their usefulness to date? Has the Minister any plans to provide at least the pepper spray or any of the other devices to the rest of the gardaí, some of whom find themselves in difficult situations with no protection other than a baton?

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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Bean bag shot is effectively a bag containing something like lead shot which when flung out results in a muffled impact. I know what pepper spray is but must confess that I have no idea what ferret pepper spray is and will not make a pretence of knowing or try to wing it today.

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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The Minister never went out late at night dazzling rabbits and raised a ferret.

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I will arrange for an explanation of the difference between pepper spray and ferret pepper spray to be forwarded to the Deputy.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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The Minister could get a poacher to tell him that.

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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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.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Minister did not answer the question about providing non-lethal weaponry to the Garda. Is that being considered?

The Minister indicated that discussions were under way between the Garda and the Health Service Executive to structure properly the provision of specialist medical assistance such as psychological experts at critical incidents. Has that discussion concluded?

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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The Taser weapon was highlighted in Mr. Justice Barr's report. I am glad to see it being taken on board.

Of greater concern, however, is the fact that we expect approximately 3,000 members of the Garda Síochána to carry weapons on our behalf and have firearms certificates but they no longer have a dedicated firing range. When will they have such a range, where they can have adequate and proper training?

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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Arrangements are in place to ensure a psychological expert is available to the Garda in a siege situation. The Garda took advantage of this option during the recent incident in Gort. Senior management of the force and the Central Mental Hospital are about to conclude a memorandum of understanding which will put these arrangements into a more concrete form for future use.

The Garda Síochána internal firearms range, erected when Deputy O'Keeffe's party was in office has unfortunately been judged unsafe.

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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There is a ricochet problem.

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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A new range is being built in Phoenix Park which will be in the basement of the new forensic science building. Meanwhile other range arrangements are being put in place around the country.

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Open ranges are not the answer. When will the new range be available?

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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When that building is completed.

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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When will that be?

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I will not throw good money after bad, trying to repair the dangerous range.

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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When will the Garda Síochána have a dedicated firing range?

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I hope the contract for it will be placed soon.

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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When is it likely to be completed?

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I hope in the next 18 months.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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What about the issuing of non-lethal weapons to the general gardaí?

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I was not asked that question and I am not in a position to answer it. I presume that non-lethal weaponry will not be handed out to every Garda station.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Will gardaí have access to pepper spray for difficult situations?

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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That is another issue but there would have to be training in its use which will be complex and require many Garda hours. If one decides to issue pepper spray to the Garda on a generalised basis, gardaí will have to travel to the regions for training sessions.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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A trainer could be sent to each of them.

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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That would absorb significant Garda resources. These things cannot be done overnight or at the click of a finger.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Sending gardaí out with just a baton is not great either.