Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 39: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the indoor firearms training range at Garda Headquarters in Phoenix Park Dublin was closed down because of ricochet and other problems; the reason there has been such a delay in bringing the firearms range up to standard; and the timetable proposed for such work. [46529/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by the Garda authorities that the firing range in Garda Headquarters was closed in December 2005 on a precautionary basis due to possible health and safety issues.

There has been considerable investment in training facilities over the past two years including the provision of two Prefabricated Modular Firearms ranges at the Garda College and in the Dublin Metropolitan region. These prefabricated ranges are newly designed products that facilitate live fire shooting for up to four persons in a carefully managed environment which adheres to all range safety requirements. In addition to these, the new Firearms Automated Training System (FATS) has also become operational. FATS does not involve the firing of live ammunition. The FATS system now represents 1/3 of the annual firearms refresher training for firearm card holders and has introduced judgemental training for the first time.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that there are sufficient resources and infrastructures in place to provide training for members of the Garda Síochána who are authorised to carry Firearms Authorisation Cards.

I am further advised by the Garda authorities that a feasibility study into the measures required to bring the firearms range located at Garda Headquarters up to the highest international standard has been carried out. This study is currently under consideration by the Garda Accommodation Programme Board in the context of the overall Garda accommodation strategy and priorities.