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Parliamentary Questions
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14-12-2004 5:45pm#1Since these tend to crop up every so often, I thought a thread was warranted. At some point we should go through the archives I suppose, but that can wait for a cold wet weekend
Today's PQ (as in, this was asked today):*330. To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of fire arm certificates issued to date in 2004; the number issued in 2002 and 2003 under section 3 of the Fire Arms Act 1925; the make, model and type of each fire arm for which such a certificate was issued; the conditions that were applied to such certificates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Noonan. [33338/04]
I'll stick up the response as soon as the minutes are up on the web...0
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It was blown off course though JC
It's interesting to note, however, that the NARGC announced in their AGM (covered by this month's Irish Shooters Digest that they're drafting their own Firearms Amendment Bill with Fine Gael. Hopefully, they'll talk to the other shooting bodies about this (I know the NTSA hasn't been included in these talks, at least not since April of this year) so that we don't inadvertantly get something that makes life harder for other shooting bodies (Hint, hint guys!). 0 -
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So much for 'PULSE'Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell):
A breakdown of firearm certificates granted by make, model, type and by the conditions attached is not readily available and could be obtained only by a disproportionate expenditure of Garda time and resources. However, I am informed by the Garda authorities that they are compiling summary figures for the number of certificates granted for the years in question but that these are not readily available.
All my firearms certs have unique PULSE numbers, so you'd think that this sort of information would be readily available. The minister's response conjures up an image of some unfortunate Guard in every station in the country having to rummage through mountains of paperwork!
That’s probably closer to the truth than someone in Garda HQ searching a database
Anyhow, does anyone know why Michael Noonan wants this sort of detailed information???
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Oh I know that Sparks, I should have phrased my question a bit better.Sparks wrote:It wouldn't be Noonan himself Rovi, he's just the TD whose name gets signed to the question (all questions have to go through a TD - last time I asked one, it went through Trevor Sergant, for example).
What I should have asked was- does anyone know who is behind the question, and can we infer anything from their request for such detailed information?
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These last two should be very telling ...
At first I thought it was a pity it didn't look for a maximum calibre in
rifles but on a second reading I realise that it would only provoke a
"Currently under review" type response ......
Actually it still might .... 0 -
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Yes, and it's a large step backwardsgouda wrote:Not after the 1st Feb ,we don't. We will need a Northern Ireland sponsor to fill out the application, similar to the UK. But the situation between us and other countries like Germany, for example, is pretty much the same - the competition organisers send on an invitation and that's pretty much all their authorities need (well, EFP and so on, but you already have those). That's what we want here, both to drive up attendance levels and competitive score levels, but also for the larger picture goal of increasing tourism.
But €38 to drive for an hour to shoot down here isn't cheap, and it is one reason why shooters up north aren't seen down here as much as they once were. It's bad enough they have to drive a long way without the added requirement of getting a licence and paying for it. What club-level shooter is going to do that for the one or two shoots they might come down to in the RoI per year? And what about other shooters invited over here from other countries for a competition? The fewer obstacles, the better, basicly.Anyway €38 to allow a visitor to shoot as many times as they wish is still cheap when compared to £10 every time in the UK.
At the time, I didn't know the law was going to be changed. That's not that much of a change either - the NARGC's discussions with Fine Gael weren't common knowlege in the NTSA until we saw it in the Irish Shooters Digest either (in fact I never heard of it till then, despite being on the committee). This isn't an example of malice, by the way, don't think I've got a vendetta going on here - it's just that there's a mindset that we see a lot of in shooting in Ireland that says "keep the heads down, don't say much, don't stand up and risk rocking the boat, keep it all quiet", and while I know why that started (and even agree with it in part - in that shouting and screaming in a meeting with the Minister wouldn't be terribly productive), it's gone too far now and no-one talks to anyone, even within our sport. No-one's innocent of this, by the way - an example from our own side: the SSAI's AGM agenda was well-published before the AGM: but none of the motions in the AGM were on it. Why not? Possibly because noone thought it important because they thought they were widely known - except that they weren't, not even by the NTSA committee (and I understand the text of one motion was actaully drafted at the meeting!). And the minutes weren't put up on the web afterwards or anything like that. There's an inertia in here with regard to "declassifing" information. Ask for it, and odds are you'll get it (though not always), but a casual curiosity won't do it, you have to actively seek it out, and that tends to start rumours that do nothing but foster ill will. It shouldn't be a case of "ask and we'll tell you", it should be a case of "hey, here's the latest update", because how do you ask about something if you don't know it's going on?Anyway, why not publish your letters to the NARGC and the DoJ asking them not to change the law with regard to visiting shooters. Presumably you did write to them with your concerns at the time?
It's a mindset that needs changing!0 -
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Got the answers from thursday's PQs back:
(I've had to reformat that table to a list because I can't get the board to format the table correctly, btw)181. Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of serious crimes (details supplied) using firearms which took place during 2003 or during the latest year for which figures are available; the number of these which were carried out with legally held firearms; the number with previously legally held firearms which had been stolen from their owners; and the number carried out with firearms which were not legally held at any time here. [2322/05]
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell): I wish to
inform the Deputy that the number of offences recorded in 2003 in which a
firearm was used are outlined in the following table:
2003:
Murders: 20
Manslaughter: 0
Robberies: 251
Aggravated burglaries: 62
Possession of a firearm: 374
Discharge of a firearm: 210
A breakdown of the offences by reference to whether or not the weapon used was legally held is not readily available and could only be obtained by a disproportionate expenditure of Garda time and resources.
It's a very interesting answer because it basicly shows that the claim that stolen firearms are a serious problem is one which the DoJ and the Gardai have no evidence for on anything beyond an anecdotal level. Since that claim's shown up in the media a great deal over the past year, it's a good thing to have cleared up, and it means that a response to such a claim can now have a bit more authority than "it's not because we say it's not and we know better than the head of the gardai when it comes to crime statistics"!182. Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the amendments to the Firearms Acts which he intends to introduce via the Criminal Justice Bill 2004, including those amendments to be announced on Committee Stage, will not render illegal or unlicenceable those pistols needed to compete in the Olympic Games that is, air pistols and .22 calibre pistols, in view of his statement in Dáil Éireann on 26 February 2004 that competitive target shooters are not a threat to the public safety. [2323/05]
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell): The Criminal Justice Bill, as published, contains one proposal in relation to firearms which is to provide for their secure custody. Other provisions on firearms will be brought forward in the form of amendments to the Bill on Committee Stage. I propose to bring those amendments to Government shortly for approval. They will then be presented to the House in the normal way.
Gah. A total avoidance of the question. Which is a rather worrying thing to see, because if there were no plans to eliminate air and smallbore pistols, the Minister could have gotten some cheap PR right there by answering the question directly. Which means that the ISSF shooters, the Irish Pony Club tetrathlon shooters, the silhouette pistol shooters, and pretty much all the plinkers are back to wondering what's going to happen 0 -
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Sparks wrote:
Gah. A total avoidance of the question. Which is a rather worrying thing to see, because if there were no plans to eliminate air and smallbore pistols, the Minister could have gotten some cheap PR right there by answering the question directly. Which means that the ISSF shooters, the Irish Pony Club tetrathlon shooters, the silhouette pistol shooters, and pretty much all the plinkers are back to wondering what's going to happen
Shouldn't that read "plonkers"? 0 -
Bastard. It's going to take an hour to clean the coffee out of my keyboard now...gouda wrote:Shouldn't that read "plonkers"? 0 -
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Two chances I would say on that Rovi!
Excuse would be garda time used up,etc etc.
Also i would question are ALL the weapons handed in in 1972 still there??
Have heard the archtypal tale of intresting pieces being misappropiated by ,shall we say less than honest security personel for their own personel collections or "planting" activity.
Might be a cause for a large amount of red facedness,butt covering,and stonewalling of the tax payer,not to mind enquiries,personal political histories being quickly rewritten etc.
It sure would be intresting to be a fly on the wall to see what would happen if everyone showed enmasse with grandads old reclaim ticket at Garda HQ wanting their family heirlooms back 0 -
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163. Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform Information Zoom if, in view of the commitments made in “Regulating Better”, he will publish the heads or draft amendments which he proposes to make to the Criminal Justice Bill 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8483/05]
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell): I made the general scheme of the Bill available to the Human Rights Commission and to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Womens’ Rights to encourage a broad debate on the proposals to be contained in the Criminal Justice Bill, prior to its publication. It is my intention to take the same approach to the proposed heads providing for amendments to the Bill as soon as I have obtained Government approval for the drafting of the amendments.
Bit of a non-answer really 0 -
A question from April 12th which definitely isn't about us, but who's answer may wind up affecting us, as usual116. Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the alarming growth in gun crime; his views on the need to take immediate legislative or other steps to ensure stiffer prison sentences for those found in possession of, or proven to have used firearms in the pursuit of crime; if his attention has further been drawn to the significance of the increased use of sawn-off shotguns and automatic assault weapons; his plans to address this increasingly serious threat to the lives and property of the citizens of the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10818/05]
776. Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gun crime incidents so far recorded in the past six months; if the type and nature of the weapons used is of particular significance; the action he plans to take to address this most serious issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11224/05]
777. Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the action he proposes to take to address the increasingly serious situation regarding the use of guns for criminal purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11225/05]
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell): I propose to take Questions Nos. 116, 776 and 777 together.
While the number of cases of possession of firearms has decreased, it is a matter of concern to note a further increase in cases of discharge of firearms. I am conscious of the recent increase in violent crime involving firearms and the particular overriding necessity to ensure that public safety and security are given priority in any review of policy and legislation in respect of firearms. With this in mind, I have decided to bring forward at an early stage certain proposals for inclusion in the Criminal Justice Bill 2004. The Bill as published contains one of those proposals, namely, to provide for the secure custody of firearms. Other provisions will be brought forward in the form of amendments to the Bill on Committee Stage. The Bill is currently on Second Stage in the Dáil. These amendments will deal with better controls on the type of firearms which may be certified. They will further specify certain additional requirements which will have to be met by applicants for certificates and allow for the imposition of conditions on the granting of a certificate. They will include a provision allowing the deeming by order of firearms which may not be certified. I am considering increasing the sentences for the more serious range of such offences, including the possibility of mandatory minimum sentences in some cases, as well as new offences of illegally modifying a firearm, for example, sawing off a shotgun, and the imposition of severe penalties for this offence.
I am satisfied that the necessary resources are being directed towards the containment and detection of such serious criminal activity. Investigations are undertaken by divisional and district garda officers at local level. All the necessary national support services are available to supplement these investigations, such as the Garda national bureau of criminal investigation.
The following table gives figures for the number of headline offences recorded and detected. With regard to the weapons involved, 40% are recorded as shotguns and 37% as pistols.
Headline Offences Recorded and Detected with a Firearm Involved 2004/2005*
2004
October Recorded: 49 Detected: 16
November Recorded: 46 Detected: 16
December Recorded: 59 Detected: 12
2005
January Recorded: 53 Detected: 33
February Recorded: 39 Detected: 7
March Recorded: 47 Detected: 13
* Statistics provided are provisional, operational and liable to change
(The table form has been altered so it could be posted here, but the content is the same).0 -
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From the transcripts:209. Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, further to Parliamentary Question No. 321 of 20 April 2005, the number of firearm certificates or licences that were endorsed in the terms specified in section 2(d) of the Wildlife Acts 1976 and 2000 in each of the years between 2000 and 2004; the number of forearm certificates, and the gun categories involved, that were issued in each of these years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13815/05]
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell): With regard to the Deputy’s reference to the endorsement of firearm certificates under section 2(d) of the Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2000, there is no such provision. However, there is a provision under section 29 of the Wildlife Act 1976 which permits the hunting and killing of exempted wild mammals and birds. The Garda authorities inform me that these figures are not readily available.
However, the figures for the total number of firearm certificates granted in each of the years between 2000 and 2004 are set out in the table.Category 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 Rifles/Air Rifles 39,850 40,281 41,650 43,246 45,225 Shotguns 167,202 166,231 167,157 168,640 168,177 Crossbows 60 64 68 68 74 Pistols/Revolvers 0 0 0 0 120 Total 207,112 206,576 208,875 211,954 213,596
Can't believe they had that same spelling mistake twice! 0 -
Its as bit like the old perennial favourite argument on the American forums, does their constitution allow them to give guns to grizzlies (the right to 'arm bears'), or to wear t-shirts (the right to 'bare arms')???Sparks wrote:Can't believe they had that same spelling mistake twice!
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From this morning's oral questions to McDowell;
Again, one of those things that has nothing to do with us, but somehow always manages to affect us5. To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the
upsurge in the level of gun crime, robberies and hostage-taking; and the steps he has taken
to deal with the activities of armed gangs to bring them to justice. — Jim O’Keeffe.
[16224/05]
And it wasn't alone either:*260. To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of cases
of murder in which firearms where used in respect of each year from 1998 to 2005 to date;
the number of such cases in which prosecutions for murder have been initiated; the
number of such cases in which convictions have been secured; if he has satisfied himself
with the level of detection and conviction in such cases; and if he will make a statement
on the matter. — Joe Costello. [16262/05]*312. To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will examine the
merits of introducing a gun amnesty accompanied by more severe penalties including
possible mandatory sentencing for the possession and discharging of illegally held firearms.
— John Curran. [16484/05]*314. To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he proposes to take
any particular action to address the rapidly escalating problem of gun crime; and if he will
make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [16487/05]*315. To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of fatal
shootings that have taken place in the past five years; his plans to address the issue; and
if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [16488/05]*316. To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his proposals to
confront those in the criminal underworld who specialise in the supply of firearms for
unlawful purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan.
[16489/05]*317. To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the action he proposes
to take to deal with the situation of the sale, supply and use of illegal firearms in the State;
and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [16490/05]*324. To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of armed
robberies reported in County Kildare in the past five years; if the perpetrators have been
convicted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [16497/05]0 -
The oral question's answer is up now (and we've all heard it on the news as well, as Operation Anvil), but here's the answer, just for completeness and because it does mention us...
And now the stuff that directly refers to us shows up...5. Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the upsurge in the level of gun crime, robberies and hostage-taking; and the steps he has taken to deal with the activities of armed gangs to bring them to justice. [16224/05]
6. Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps being taken to deal with the surge of serious crime over the past few months, including the spate of gangland style killings, robberies of cash in transit consignments and abductions and kidnappings; if he intends to provide additional resources to the Garda to help it combat these killings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16261/05]
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell): I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 and 6 together.
I have outlined previously to the House the extensive range of measures which have been taken to deal with the types of crime referred to in the questions. Those measures will, of course, continue.
I have been concerned for some time, and this is a concern shared on all sides of the House, that serious offences which have been taking place have made evident the emergence of a gun culture in Dublin. This, sadly, has been manifest in the number of fatal shootings that have taken place, particularly in recent weeks. Those deaths will be comprehensively investigated, as will the incidents of armed robberies and other gun crimes which have taken place. The Garda Commissioner advises me that he is confident of success in a number of those investigations.
The Garda has amassed a considerable amount of intelligence about gun crime in Dublin and has a very clear picture of what is going on. Both the Garda Commissioner and I, in the course of intensive discussions in recent days, have agreed that the time is now ripe to build on that work in ways that will strike at the heart of the gun culture which has emerged.
I can report to the House that last night the Garda Síochána launched Operation Anvil. This is one of the most intensive special policing operations ever undertaken in the State. It will be intelligence-driven and will be aimed at those involved in gun crime of any kind in the Dublin metropolitan region.
Its cost will amount to €6.5 million, which I have made available from my Department’s allocation for this year, in addition to other allocations to the Garda Síochána. It will involve about 15,000 additional hours overtime being worked each week by gardaí in the Dublin area. This expenditure will not adversely affect existing agreed overtime allocations across Garda divisions, including those for the Dublin metropolitan division.
It would be counterproductive for me to give precise details of what will be involved in Operation Anvil but it will involve divisional uniform and detective patrols throughout the region, backed up by national units, overt and covert operations, mobile and foot patrols, random checkpoints at specific locations, extensive searches, execution of warrants and gathering and collation of high quality criminal intelligence. The Commissioner is adamant this will not be done by sucking in those involved in community policing, depriving that area of the necessary manpower. The operation will be focused, sustained, targeted and relentless.
One feature of the gun culture that has emerged is the apparent belief on the part of some criminals that they are not bound by or subject to the laws of the land. Nobody is above the law and, likewise, nobody is beneath the protection of the law. Operation Anvil is intended to supplement existing operations to ensure that lawlessness does not prevail, that the threat posed by these criminals is met sternly and effectively and, above all else, human life is respected.
While our legislation for tackling organised crime is one of the toughest in Europe, I propose it is strengthened further. The Criminal Justice Bill 2004, which is on Second Stage in the House, provides for a comprehensive package of anti-crime measures which will enhance Garda powers in the investigation and prosecution of offences. These include a general power on the issue of search warrants, including a superintendent’s right to issue an emergency search warrant in certain circumstances, increased detention powers of up to 24 hours for arrestable offences and a statutory power to preserve a crime scene. Part 3 makes provision for the admissibility as evidence in court of statements by witnesses who subsequently refuse to testify or retract their original statements. I am considering introducing several amendments, including a proposal to provide for criminal offences for the participation in a criminal organisation, as requested by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women’s Rights.
It's a pity that, even after admitting that they don't keep the statistics to back it up, that the claim's still being made that stolen firearms are the source of criminally abused firearmsWith the recent increase in violent crime involving firearms, there is an overriding necessity to ensure public safety and security are given priority in any review of policy and legislation on firearms. I have decided to bring forward proposals in the context of the Criminal Justice Bill to provide the secure custody of firearms, minimum sentences and new offences for modifying firearms, such as the sawing off of a shotgun barrel. I intend to provide for severe penalties for the possession of sawn-off shotguns and the modification of shotguns.
I ask all sides of the House to help me expedite these measures in a genuine spirit of co-operation. I ask all Members to welcome the measures the Garda Commissioner has put in place since last night, which will be a substantial and unprecedented operation against gun crime in Dublin city. 0 -
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