Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

125. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he intends to publish the guidelines issued to members of An Garda Síochána in relation to the operation and use of tasers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6902/26]

Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

126. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he intends to publish the guidelines issued to members of An Garda Síochána in relation to the use of force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6903/26]

Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

127. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of occasions in both 2024 and 2025 when the ASP baton was deployed by members of An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6904/26]

Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

128. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he publish the guideline given to members of An Garda Síochána in relation to the operation and use of pepper spray; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6905/26]

Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

129. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will publish the guideline given to members of An Garda Síochána in relation to the operation and use of the ASP baton; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6906/26]

Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

130. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of occasions in both 2024 and 2025 when pepper spray was deployed by members of An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6907/26]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 125 to 130, inclusive, together.

An Garda Síochána's human rights based approach to policing provides general guidance to Gardaí on how human rights are to be observed in the course of their work. Their response to any incident involves a graduated policing response considering relevant legislation and public safety, with enforcement as a last resort.

In carrying out their duties, our Gardaí, as far as practicable, consider non-physical means before resorting to the use of force in the resolution of incidents that they respond to. We must rely on Garda operational management and frontline Gardaí to use their discretion and judgment.

The Garda Commissioner is responsible by law for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including the policies and guidelines in place within An Garda Síochána and publication of same. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.

I am assured by the Commissioner that Gardaí are trained in the lawful use of incapacitant spray and ASP Batons.

A detailed policy document in relation to the use of incapacitant spray has been developed by An Garda Síochána and is publicly available on their website. This can be found at the following link: www.garda.ie/en/about-us/publications/policy-documents/.

The Deputy should select the file titled 'Incapacitant Spray Policy'.

The fundamental principle underpinning this policy is that any action taken which requires a member of An Garda Síochána to use an incapacitant spray must comply with the fundamental principles of legality, necessity, proportionality and accountability.

Conductive Energy Devices (or Tasers) are issued to specialist firearms and protection units. An Garda Síochána are also trialing the use of Tasers by a limited number of frontline Gardaí in Dublin City and Waterford where body worn cameras have already been deployed. The purpose of the pilot is to evaluate the use this equipment, particularly as a de-escalation measure for frontline Gardaí. Again, I have been assured that all Gardaí issued with Tasers have been adequately trained in their use.

These tactical options are available to Gardaí when faced with violence or the threat of violence when it is reasonable to believe that such violence or threat of violence may result in injury to themselves or others, including self-harm by an individual.

Information on Garda use of force including the use of incapacitant spray, ASP Baton and Taser are published on the Garda website and in the Commissioners monthly report to the Policing and Community Safety Authority.

An Garda Síochána's Use of Force statistics can be found at the following link: www.garda.ie/en/information-centre/statistics/.

While the Garda Commissioner's monthly reports to the PCSA can be found here: www.garda.ie/en/about-us/publications/general-reports/commissioner-s-monthly-reports-to-policing-and-community-safety-authority/.