Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

469. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the action being taken to address the increase in the number of unlicensed firearms here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11475/15]

Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

470. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on incorrect information that was provided to her and the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality regarding the number of licensed firearms stolen from 2010 to 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11476/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 469 and 470 together.

The Deputy refers to the increasing number of unlicensed firearms in the State. It is however impossible to accurately state how many illegal firearms are currently in the hands of criminals in the State or whether this figure is increasing. An Garda Síochána tackles the issue of illegal firearms on a daily basis at both local and national levels and in recent weeks alone have successfully removed a number of illegal firearms from criminal hands in ongoing operations throughout the country.

Gardaí tackle the issue of illegal firearms through a range of targeted and intelligence based operations, often disrupting and preventing incidents, as well as detecting and prosecuting those involved.

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 DNA Database legislation enacted last year, 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 of serious offences.

The various Garda operations which target armed and organised criminals are complemented and supported by Garda engagement with local communities, including a range of community local fora, to address local concerns relating to crime, community safety and the impact of organised crime on community life.

The Deputy also refers to what is described as incorrect information provided to Oireachtas members regarding the number of licensed firearms stolen. The statistics provided by An Garda Síochána regarding firearms reported stolen is provided on the basis of data available on the PULSE system. The data available cannot be amended or updated for the purposes of providing statistics. I can also inform the Deputy that different types of questions were asked by Oireachtas members in relation to stolen firearms. One set of figures provided, totalling 1,710, was for all firearms reported stolen between 2010 and 2014. This figure would include firearms not licensed stolen from firearms dealers and other items classified as firearms such as humane killers, starting guns and blank firing guns which would be held on authorisation rather than licence. Another set of figures provided, totalling 1,109, was for all firearms linked to a licencerecorded as stolen between 2010 and 2014.