Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 288: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when all gardaí will be equipped with pepper spray; the way it will be rolled out and to what extent initially; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40929/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Following consultation with my cabinet colleagues, I recently approved the Garda Commissioner's proposal to issue incapacitant spray to all operational members of the Garda Síochána. I have been advised by the Garda authorities that the spray will be procured in accordance with EU and National Procurement guidelines. It is anticipated that the spray will then be rolled out to the organisation on a Garda Divisional basis in conjunction with the requisite training programme.

The timeline for the programme is currently being developed with a view to completing full rollout, subject to the procurement process, by the end of 2009. The initial phase of the rollout will focus on those Garda Divisions identified as having high instances of assault and obstruction against Gardaí.