Written answers

Wednesday, 24 September 2014

Department of Justice and Equality

Firearms and Ammunition Security

Photo of Maureen O'SullivanMaureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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14. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of the increase in gun crime, gun injuries and death here over the past decade if she will concede that there is a serious problem in this country with availability of lethal firearms; her views on combating this, such as a gun amnesty which has been used in many other countries whereby any person can hand in weapons to gardaí to reduce the number of lethal firearms in circulation and vastly reduce horrific gun injuries. [35380/14]

Photo of Frances FitzgeraldFrances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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It is unfortunately the case that gun crime has for some time been an inherent part of organised criminal activity in Ireland, as it is in other similar jurisdictions. This demands a robust response, and this is precisely what is happening. Gardaí tackle this type of crime through a range of targeted and intelligence based operations, often disrupting and preventing incidents, as well as detecting and prosecuting those involved. Shortly after taking up office I discussed the challenges presented by this type of crime with the Acting Garda Commissioner, who outlined the substantial efforts being made by An Garda Síochána to identify and target those involved.

A range of operations are in place to target and confront armed and organised criminals, including Operation Domino and Operation Hybrid in the Dublin area. In addition to these enforcement measures, An Garda Síochána also engages extensively with communities in a range of fora to address local concerns relating to crime and community safety, including the impact that organised crime can have at a community level.

Heavy penalties are provided for weapons offences in our criminal law and mandatory minimum penalties have been introduced for certain firearms offences. The considerable powers already available to Gardaí have been supplemented further by the recent DNA Database legislation which provides for the establishment of a Database which will have the capacity to link suspects to unsolved crimes using forensic evidence, and will greatly assist Gardaí in investigating a whole range serious offences.

I am not convinced at this stage that some form of firearms amnesty would make a useful contribution to the reduction of gun crime. There was such an arrangement for a two month period in late 2006 but that was in the context of new licensing arrangements being introduced and represented an opportunity for people to regularise their situation before the heavier penalties provided for in the legislation came into force. It is doubtful that such an amnesty would result in hardened criminals handing up weapons. Equally, I am not sure it is desirable to allow people who hold firearms illegally to evade the legal consequences for that. Nevertheless, I will keep this matter under review.

What I believe is very important is that we have robust legislation in place in relation to firearms. In that context, in view of public safety concerns raised by the Garda Commissioner, a joint Review of operational, legislative and administrative issues governing firearms licensing is being conducted by my Department and An Garda Síochána. The Review is nearing completion and I will consider its recommendations shortly. It is intended that a public consultation on the Review will also take place.

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