Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 9: To ask the Minister for Defence if any weapons handed in by members of the public are held in storage by the Defence Forces; if so when these were handed in; the number of same; and what he intends to do with them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38132/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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An Garda Síochána have the primary responsibility for law and order, including the protection of the internal security of the State. Among the roles assigned to the Defence Forces is the provision of aid to the civil power (meaning in practice to assist, when requested, an Garda Síochána), which duties include the protection and guarding of vital installations, the provision of certain security escorts etc.

Under the Firearms (Dangerous Weapons) Order, 1972, weapons were surrendered to An Garda Síochána. Some 5,000 weapons are held in storage by the Defence Forces in the Eastern, Southern and Western Brigades. Any future decisions regarding these weapons is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.