Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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31. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will consider updating and strengthening the sentences that can be imposed on persons convicted of possession of firearms with intent to injure and or kill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27377/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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As previously stated, there are severe penalties in place for firearm offences under the Firearms Acts 1925 to 2009. A person possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life is liable to a minimum of 10 years imprisonment and up to a maximum of life imprisonment and a fine at the discretion of the Court. The Court has some discretion in applying these minimum sentences in the case of a first offence, depending on the circumstances concerned, but not in the case of a second or subsequent offence. This, and other mandatory minimum sentences for firearms offences, were introduced on foot of concerns regarding the impact these type of offences had on society and individual communities.

On foot of the introduction of these penalties in the Criminal Justice Act 2006 much progress has made in tackling gun crime in Ireland. The number of offences relating to the possession and discharge of a firearm fell by 52% from 745 in 2005 to 356 in 2015; while incidents of assault, burglary, robbery and murder involving a firearm are down 28% from 455 to 329. Given the severe sentences in place with the potential for a maximum of life imprisonment, I am not sure there is scope for any further strengthening of sentences. However, I will be more than happy to consider any specific suggestions which the Deputy may have.

Gun crime is and must be tackled aggressively by An Garda Síochána by means of a range of targeted and intelligence based operations, disrupting and preventing incidents before harm is caused, as well as detecting and prosecuting those involved. Against this background and in the context of recent organised crime activity, a number of targeted additional measures have been put in place in support of the work of An Garda Síochána. These include the recent changes to the Proceeds of Crime Acts, the allocation of an additional €55 million to An Garda Síochána this year, and the establishment of a Special Crime Task Force. A dedicated Armed Support Unit for the Dublin Metropolitan Region is also being established.