Crime prevention and alarm systems

Topical Issue

Deputy Olivia Mitchell: I very much appreciate the opportunity to raise this rather technical issue. I regret that the line Minister, Deputy Shatter, cannot be here but I appreciate he is in committee this afternoon. I am grateful to the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, for taking this issue.
The Minister, were he here, would be aware that alarms have in recent years worked on a dual-communication regime of a telephone line in conjunction with GPS. The reason GPS is used is that it is the standard laid down in regulation in SI 307 of 2009 which governs alarm systems which are required by those keeping firearms on the premises, whether for private or commercial use.
These GPS backed systems are now used widely in all State buildings, post offices, banks, armoured security cars and businesses and, indeed, in thousands of private homes. It was a good standard. In fact, GPS is a wonderful technology that we all use on our mobile telephones and elsewhere. It worked well for this purpose as well until it was overtaken by the ingenuity of the criminal mind which eventually caught up with the technology.
There is now a jamming system, a little mobile device available on the Internet, which has been successfully imported into Ireland and is being used by the criminal fraternity. The way it works is that, by using a little hand-held device no bigger than a mobile phone, they can jam the signal outside the premises and break in, secure in the knowledge that for the time that they are present there is no signal going to the local Garda station. They know that they have all the time in the world to get on with whatever they are at.
The Minister will be aware that there was a welcome drop in all crime levels, except burglaries, announced only last week. I am not saying that there is a causal effect between the increase in the number of burglaries and the increased use of these jammers, but I can say that the jammers are being imported and they are being used by criminals.
My request to the Minister is that he would consider not replacing GPS systems as the standard but allowing an alternative so there is an officially sanctioned choice available to those who must secure their firearms by an alarm system and, consequently, intimate to all alarm users, including ATMs, security cars and post offices, that there are other systems which cannot be jammed and are now maybe better than the GPS that has been in use. Long-range radio telemetry offers an alternative to cellular technology and it is almost impossible to jam because the repeater technology makes it almost impossible to track from where the waves are coming.
I ask, if the Minister is agreeable, that he ask the Garda Commissioner not to take my word for it but to seek the views of the Garda communications unit on this issue. There are many in the force who are aware of this, understand the problem and are genuinely concerned. I ask that the Commissioner seek the expert advice of those who are in a position in the force to give it and communicate his advice back to the Minister.

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Kathleen Lynch): I thank Deputy Mitchell for raising the issue. As she has already pointed out, the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, is in committee. He apologises for not being able to take this topic himself.
The Minister thanks the Deputy for raising this matter. In fact, he answered a parliamentary question on 22 May last put down by the Deputy on this same issue. He mentioned to the Deputy, in the reply, that if she provided him with any specific instances of the theft of firearms which she wished him to look into he would gladly raise the matter with the Garda Commissioner. I understand that he did not receive any such information and his Department has not received any similar queries in this regard from anyone else, but he fully accepts that there is an issue in relation to it.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Firearms (Secure Accommodation) Regulations, which came into force in August 2009, are the regulations governing the secure storage of firearms in the home. These regulations set out the minimum security standards outlined on the provision of secure accommodation for those firearms. In general terms, it stipulates that the greater the number of firearms a person has licensed, the higher the requirements of security that must be complied with. These requirements range from a trigger lock being required for one non-restricted shotgun to a monitored alarm service operated by a person licensed by the Private Security Authority and supported by a GSM mobile phone back-up facility for three or more restricted firearms or six or more firearms of any type, kept in the same place, to which the Deputy referred. The Minister has asked me to point out that the use of an apparatus in order to block or interfere with a mobile phone signal is an offence under Irish law. The Wireless Telegraphy Act 1926 provides that a person may be prosecuted summarily or on indictment for the offence of using any apparatus for the purpose of interfering with any wireless telegraphy.
All wireless telegraphy apparatus used in the State must be licensed under section 5 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1926 unless it is specifically subject to an exemption order, for example, GSM and 3G mobile phones. Section 3(2) of the Act provides that it is an offence for a person licensed under the Act to use the apparatus otherwise than in accordance with the terms and conditions subject to which such licence is expressly, or is by virtue of this Act deemed to have been, granted. As provided for in the secure accommodation regulations, the Garda Commissioner is in a position to approve an equivalent standard for alarms, including any alternatives to the current approved standard. Therefore, any changes in this area will be considered following advice from the Garda Commissioner. As the Minister stated recently, the increase in the number of burglaries over the past 12 months is a cause of great concern. He considers that it is too early to see the full impact of the concerted and intelligence-led measures An Garda Síochána have put in place under Operation Fiacla and he knows these are a top priority for the Commissioner and are proactively targeting prolific offenders. Together with good crime prevention and community policing, he feels these measures represent a focused and strategic approach to challenging those involved in this type of criminality and should be reflected in future crime figures. As the Minister stated in reply to the Deputy earlier, he has asked the Garda Commissioner to keep the matter under review.
He is acutely aware of the dangers associated with the theft of licensed firearms. As Minister, he is determined to ensure that in the operation of all aspects of the firearms licensing system, the question of public safety is paramount. I will ensure the Deputy’s concerns are placed on the Minister’s desk.

Deputy Olivia Mitchell: The Minister of State may have misunderstood my concern. While the theft of firearms is a worry, my main concern is that the standard for securing firearms laid down by the Minister is the standard accepted throughout the country by all businesses, including banks, armoured car providers and State businesses such as post offices. Everyone is vulnerable because they are all using a system that can be sabotaged. That is my point.
I am pleased to note the Minister will take the advice of the Garda Commissioner. My simple request is that he asks the Commissioner whether this is a cause of concern among members of the force and, if so, request that action is taken. Thousands of businesses are using the alternative radio technology alarm network which has been rolled out. Incidentally, it may be a matter of interest to the Minister that the technology is supplied by an Israeli firm. He need not have any fears regarding whether the technology is accepted or state-of-the-art.
While I understand the reluctance to change regulations that have been laid down, we must also move with advances in technology. On an issue of this nature, where the protection of businesses and persons is crucial, the Minister should keep an open mind rather than erring on the side of caution. I fully understand that the precautionary principle applies when considering changing regulations that have worked in the past, but the current regulations no longer work. For this reason, I ask that the Minister request the Garda Commissioner to seek advice on this issue from the Garda communications unit.

Deputy Kathleen Lynch: I apologise if the reply provided placed undue emphasis on firearms. The Deputy’s contribution clearly indicates that the issue is a wider one. While the Government cannot make demands of private individuals in respect of how they secure their premises, it is obvious the recommendation on regulation will be considered to be the optimum available and that people will buy into it. My view on technology is that it becomes obsolete when one finds one understands it or must explain it. One must keep ahead of the posse on technology. While Ministers are always reluctant to change regulations which have not been in place for a long time – the relevant regulations were introduced in 2009 – it is essential to keep up to date. I will raise the Deputy’s concerns with the Minister.

Deputy Olivia Mitchell: I appreciate that.