Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2026
774. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if guidelines are in place in relation to the use of tasers on persons experiencing mental health crises, neurodivergent individuals, persons with intellectual disabilities, children and young people, older persons, and other vulnerable groups; if so, if he will publish such guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14640/26]
View answerAn Garda Síochána's human rights based approach to policing provides guidance to Gardaí on how human rights are to be observed in the course of their work. An Garda Síochána's 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 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.
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.
I am assured by the Commissioner that eligible Gardaí are trained in the lawful use of conductive energy devices (CEDs), or "tasers" as they are commonly known.
Conductive Energy Devices are issued to specialist firearms and protection units. An Garda Síochána are also trialling the use of tasers by a limited number of front-line Gardaí in Dublin City and Waterford, where body worn cameras have already been deployed.
Each of the members in the pilot that is equipped with a CED has undertaken a comprehensive 3-day training course in the use of the CEDs before being authorised to carry these devices on operational duties. They have also attended an additional half day human rights awareness briefing.
The 3-day Taser Training Course is grounded in Irish Constitutional and European Convention on Human Rights principles and Garda policy, Garda Decision Making Model, Garda Code of Ethics in addition to practical training and assessments.
The CED pilot will aim to evaluate the operational, ethical, human rights, and community impacts of deploying CEDs as an additional tactical option within a graduated use of force framework, in order to prevent harm to Garda personnel and members of the public.
The fundamental principle underpinning the policy for use of CEDs is that any action taken which requires a member of An Garda Síochána to use a CED must comply with the fundamental principles of legality, necessity, proportionality and accountability.
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.
In order to ensure appropriate oversight any use of a taser will be referred to Fiosrú, the Office of the Police Ombudsman.
I have been advised by the Garda Authorities that a new overarching Use of Force Policy is being developed currently and is at an advanced stage. Once complete this will be made available on the Garda website.
The sub-Procedure documents relating to this policy will be restricted documents and will only be available internally. These would include guidelines as to the use of tasers. This is in line with internal Garda policy procedures.
Information on Garda use of force including the use of CEDs 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/
