Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 186: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has received a recommendation from the Garda Commissioner as to whether members of the gardaí should be supplied with pepper sprays to help fend off attacks; when he expects that a decision will be made on this proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21091/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I have been informed by the Garda authorities that a Working Group has been established to examine the use of incapacitant sprays. The Group is chaired by the Assistant Commissioner in charge of Crime & Security and is researching: the effectiveness of incapacitant sprays; the medical implications involved; the development of a policy for the use of such devices and its implications; and operational and training implications. The Working Group will report to the Commissioner on completion of this examination.