Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 80: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he will introduce the legislation promised to increase jail sentences for possession of a knife; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14252/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Though legislation on the use of knives and similar weapons is already very strong and heavy penalties are already in place, I am moving to strengthen the law in this area. In that context, I sought and received proposals from the Garda Commissioner on strengthening the law on knife crime. These include:

• increasing the maximum prison sentence for possessing a knife in a public place from one year to five years; and

• creating an extended power of search without warrant in certain circumstances.

I have accepted these proposals and the relevant changes to the Law in this area will be made in the context of the forthcoming Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill which was considered by Government at its meeting today. The Bill deals with a range of amendments to current statutes including very significant changes to the Firearms Acts.

Following the consideration of the matter by Government today, I expect to publish the Bill shortly and it is my intention to have the issues to which the Deputy refers along with the other important issues relating to the control of firearms and offensive weapons being dealt with in this legislation, brought before the House at the earliest possible opportunity.

In addition, I have directed the drafting of a new Firearms and Offensive Weapons Order which will deal with the issue of swords. In particular, I will be banning the sale of samurai swords.

As the Deputy will be aware, on 5 February, the Garda Commissioner and I launched a Knife Awareness Campaign by An Garda Síochána with the objective of informing and educating young people in particular on the dangers of carrying knives and with the aim of reducing the number of incidents of knife crime.