Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
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15. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention has been drawn to recent comments from the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment suggesting that more gardaí may be armed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60569/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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An Garda Síochána is a community police service with strong links to the communities it serves built on a culture of policing by consent. 

Over the last century, from the turbulent years of the civil war, and on through the devastating years of the Troubles, the Gardaí have remained a largely unarmed police service.  The resolve and vision set out by the first Commissioner, Michael Staines, that An Garda Síochána would succeed 'not by force of arms or numbers, but on their moral authority as servants of the people" is as true today as it was 100 years ago. 

That An Garda Síochána has remained unarmed is a tribute to the organisation and to the Irish people.  A deep connection to community and a commitment to service is embedded in the culture of An Garda Síochána and is something they are rightly very proud of.  I know the Commissioner is committed to ensuring that the organisation continues to evolve to remain representative of all the diverse communities they serve.  

That said, it is undoubtedly the case that Gardaí operate in often dangerous environments and it is important that they have the equipment they need to do their jobs safely, not to say, effectively.  Units such as the Emergency Response Unit (ERU) and the Armed Response Units (ARU) are central to the Garda response to serious crime and are trained and equipped accordingly.

Finally, I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that the health and safety of Gardaí is of paramount and ongoing importance to him and it is clearly imperative that Garda members are issued with appropriate equipment for their duties. To ensure this, there is a constant review by the Garda authorities of all operational and protective equipment including the use of tasers and other incapacitants.