asked the Minister for Justice if he will make a statement on the result of the Garda report submitted to the Attorney General in relation to stun guns.

The law officers have advised that it is not certain that stun guns are prohibited weapons within the meaning of the Firearms Acts, 1925 to 1971.

I share the concern of the Deputy and that of other Deputies in relation to the availability of stun guns. I hope to introduce legislation to deal with this matter shortly.

I chased the Minister long enough on this issue.

I do not know which of us raised it first.

The Minister should get rid of an awful lot of other offensive weapons by way of that legislation.

Could the Minister tell me approximately when the Attorney General received the Garda report?

I have not got the exact date. However, I should say that on 27 September 1988, the Government authorised me to arrange for the drafting of a Bill to amend the Firearms Acts, to prohibit the use of stun guns and to control the availability and possession of offensive weapons. Drafting of the Bill is at an advanced stage and should be completed shortly. I have not got the exact date the Deputy sought.