Written answers

Wednesday, 30 January 2008

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Garda Equipment

8:00 pm

Photo of Aengus Ó SnodaighAengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 1284: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will take steps to ensure tasers which have been available to the gardaí since September 2007 are withdrawn in view of the death of a Polish man who did not speak any English and was killed by a taser in an airport in Canada in December 2007, the death of a man in England in January 2008 having been hit by a taser and research undertaken by Amnesty International in north America which has shown 250 people have died after being shot by tasers. [2528/08]

Photo of Brian Lenihan JnrBrian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Following proposals made by the Garda Commissioner and taking account of recommendations made by the Garda Síochána Inspectorate in its report on barricade incidents, An Garda Síochána was authorised to add conductive electric devices (CEDs) to the range of less lethal options available to the Garda Emergency Response Unit (ERU). The purpose of less lethal options is to provide an alternative to the use of lethal force when a critical incident requiring such action may arise. The Garda authorities carried out extensive research and consultation with relevant professional bodies, including other law enforcement agencies and medical professionals, before the introduction of CED's. Their use is limited to members of the ERU who have undergone appropriate training and qualification in their use and deployment is regulated and controlled by detailed guidelines. I am satisfied with the approach adopted by the Garda authorities in this regard.

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