Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 116: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the alarming growth in gun crime; his views on the need to take immediate legislative or other steps to ensure stiffer prison sentences for those found in possession of, or proven to have used firearms in the pursuit of crime; if his attention has further been drawn to the significance of the increased use of sawn-off shotguns and automatic assault weapons; his plans to address this increasingly serious threat to the lives and property of the citizens of the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10818/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 776: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gun crime incidents so far recorded in the past six months; if the type and nature of the weapons used is of particular significance; the action he plans to take to address this most serious issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11224/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 777: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the action he proposes to take to address the increasingly serious situation regarding the use of guns for criminal purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11225/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 116, 776 and 777 together.

While the number of cases of possession of firearms has decreased, it is a matter of concern to note a further increase in cases of discharge of firearms. I am conscious of the recent increase in violent crime involving firearms and the particular overriding necessity to ensure that public safety and security are given priority in any review of policy and legislation in respect of firearms. With this in mind, I have decided to bring forward at an early stage certain proposals for inclusion in the Criminal Justice Bill 2004. The Bill as published contains one of those proposals, namely, to provide for the secure custody of firearms. Other provisions will be brought forward in the form of amendments to the Bill on Committee Stage. The Bill is currently on Second Stage in the Dáil. These amendments will deal with better controls on the type of firearms which may be certified. They will further specify certain additional requirements which will have to be met by applicants for certificates and allow for the imposition of conditions on the granting of a certificate. They will include a provision allowing the deeming by order of firearms which may not be certified. I am considering increasing the sentences for the more serious range of such offences, including the possibility of mandatory minimum sentences in some cases, as well as new offences of illegally modifying a firearm, for example, sawing off a shotgun, and the imposition of severe penalties for this offence.

I am satisfied that the necessary resources are being directed towards the containment and detection of such serious criminal activity. Investigations are undertaken by divisional and district garda officers at local level. All the necessary national support services are available to supplement these investigations, such as the Garda national bureau of criminal investigation.

The following table gives figures for the number of headline offences recorded and detected. With regard to the weapons involved, 40% are recorded as shotguns and 37% as pistols.