Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 96: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the non-lethal weapons available for use by members of An Garda Síochána; the number of each category of weapon and its function; if a weapon is routinely carried by a member; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13178/07]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I have been informed by the Garda authorities that three types of less lethal weapons are currently available for use by the Garda Síochána Emergency Response Unit. These are bean bag shot, OC pepper spray and OC pepper spray shot.

I announced yesterday that I have authorised the addition of Conductive Electric Devices to the range of less lethal weapons available to the ERU. These devices are sometimes referred to by the brand name "TASER".

Following the establishment by the Garda Commissioner of regional primary response teams in each Garda region outside Dublin to act as initial responders to critical incidents pending the deployment of the ERU, I have authorised the deployment to these regional teams of the three less lethal weapons already available to the ERU – bean bag shot, OC spray and OC spray shot. These new regional teams will be drawn from the regional Public Order Units and will receive additional specialist training.

The function of these less lethal weapons is for use in circumstances where necessary to avoid the use of firearms. The use of firearms is permitted only to repel serious attacks on Gardaí, members of the public or property, or in the arrest or re-arrest of persons involved in serious offences. Strict conditions are laid down, including a requirement in all cases that all other means of achieving the purpose in question have been exhausted, before firearms may be used. The test which currently applies to the use of less lethal weapons that their use is necessary to avoid the use of firearms is, therefore, a high one.

Less lethal devices are not routinely carried by the Garda members authorised to use them as their deployment is intended for critical incidents. I do not propose for Garda operational reasons to disclose the number of less lethal devices available to the Gardaí but I am advised by Garda management that sufficient stocks are available and requirements are constantly reviewed to take account of operational needs.