Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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348. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of armed support unit raids there have been on family homes and dwellings in each of the years since 2015 to date. [48899/21]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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350. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of ASU warranted searches there have been on family homes and dwellings in each year since 2015. [48907/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 348 and 350 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that Garda personnel engaging in the performance of operational searches of dwellings on behalf of An Garda Síochána with the objective of combatting criminality are required to fully comply with legislative powers, human rights considerations and organisational policy in this area.

I am informed by An Garda Síochána that Regional Armed Support Units do not engage in 'standalone' operations but are deployed as a specialist resource in support of National and/or Divisional Units performing operational searches.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Regional Armed Support Units consist of Garda personnel who are highly trained and experienced in specialised tactics and operational deployment in the area of method of entry, hostage & barricade management and in the use of both lethal and less-lethal firearms in order to combat any threat arising from the use of force or firearms during such operations.

I am advised that operational requisitions submitted to Regional Armed Support Units are considered and assessed in line with operational procedures, in respect of the threat and risk posed to unarmed Garda personnel and members of the public during the performance of such operations. I am further advised that each operational requisition is assessed on its merits by utilising the Garda Decision Making Model, in line with adhering to policy, legal, human rights and ethical considerations, on a case by case basis prior to deployment of Regional Armed Support Units being sanctioned.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that data in respect of operational search activity relating to ‘family homes or dwellings’ is not collated in the manner prescribed in the Deputy's questions.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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349. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the amount her Department and An Garda Síochána have paid in compensation for damage caused during raids and searches in each of the years since 2015. [48900/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I have a requested a report from the Garda authorities on the matters raised by the Deputy and will contact her directly when this is to hand.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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351. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí by rank suspended in 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021. [48938/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including all matters relating to discipline. As Minister I have no direct role in these decisions.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that the below figures reflect the number of members suspended for each of the years requested by the Deputy. I am further advised that An Garda Síochána do not provide details of the ranks of members suspended, as this might identify individuals.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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352. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí dismissed from the service under a disciplinary sanction by rank in 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021. [48939/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I have sought a report from the Garda authorities on the matters raised by the Deputy, and I will contact him directly when this is to hand.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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353. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí disciplined by rank for abuse of information services within An Garda Síochána, that is phone communications, email and data recording systems such as PULSE in each of the years 2018 to 2020 and do date in 2021. [48940/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I have requested the information asked for by the Deputy from the Garda authorities, and I will contact him directly when this is to hand.