Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 May 2026
853. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether he will provide an update on the work of the Firearms Forum established by his Department, including the number of meetings held to date and the matters discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35153/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra854. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the reason discussion of inconsistencies in the application and administration of firearms legislation was ruled out of order at the most recent firearms stakeholder meeting held in Kilmainham; whether this matter was raised by stakeholder representatives at the meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35154/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra855. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the reason no terms of reference have been published or circulated for the Firearms Forum; whether formal terms of reference have been agreed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35189/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra859. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the reason there is no set membership or published criteria for membership of the firearms forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35226/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra860. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether he has sought a report from An Garda Síochána regarding the consistency of firearms licensing decision-making practices nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35227/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 853, 854, 855, 859 and 860 together.
My Department holds meetings with individual firearms organisations on request and engages with firearms stakeholders, including representative firearms organisations, in various ways. An Garda Síochána also meet with firearms stakeholder organisations in respect of relevant matters, and officials from my Department liaise regularly with the Firearms Policy Unit of An Garda Síochána on firearms-related matters.
Throughout 2025 and into this year, my Department organised a series of exploratory engagements with firearms stakeholders in Wicklow, Limerick, Carrick-on-Shannon, Mullingar, and Kilmainham. The purpose of these meetings is to provide a mechanism for ongoing engagement with firearms stakeholders from a broad range of areas within the firearms community, ensuring their valuable insights in specific areas of firearms can be considered in any future policy and legislative changes that may arise.
I can advise that ongoing engagement has continued with firearms stakeholders; the most recent engagement took place on 28 April 2026, where more than 20 representatives of the firearms community and firearms stakeholder organisations attended a meeting with Department officials. This was the fourth in a series of meetings that have taken place; other meetings also took place on 18 September, 1 December 2025, and 29 January 2026.
The stakeholders attending these meetings include several from representative organisations, experts in technical areas of firearms and members of An Garda Síochána’s Firearms Policy Unit.
I am aware that there was a wide breadth of issues relating to the application and administration of firearms legislation raised at these meetings and it is intended to address these matters further through the next phase of engagement.
My officials and I have also met variously with representative organisations, including the IFA Countryside, Target Shooting Ireland (Olympic Shooters) and the NARGC (National Association of Regional Games Councils). In these and other engagements, we have confirmed our support for more regular and structured engagement between policy makers and firearms users than has taken place since the last meeting of the Firearms Consultative Panel (FCP) in 2019. I can advise that engagement with firearms stakeholders has been positive and is ongoing.
Reform of the firearms licensing system has been under consideration for a number of years, and extensive consultation has been undertaken. The administration of firearms licensing is complex, governed by both national and European legislation, to which each Member State must adhere. Careful consideration must be given to the potential implications of any contemplated change. It is intended to continue with this proactive and open engagement which has taken place so far and a further consultation phase is planned with official firearms representative organisations over the coming months, to discuss the findings of the recent engagements.
Stakeholder organisations have been encouraged to make submissions to the meetings, engage with other stakeholders, and contribute. I would encourage any firearms stakeholder organisation that would like to participate in the upcoming consultation to engage with my Department on the matter.
In relation to firearms certificates, I would point out that An Garda Síochána has responsibility for a range of functions with regard to the operation of firearms legislation and is the competent authority for the issuing of firearms certificates and authorisations within the State. My Department is the competent authority for the maintenance of the Register of Firearms Dealers and the import and export (within the EU) of firearms and ammunition.
The Firearms (Firearm Certificates for Non-Residents) Act 2000 gives the authority for granting licences to Superintendents of An Garda Síochána. Superintendents, when considering firearms licence applications, are considered 'persona designata' and cannot have their decision-making process fettered in any way. Neither I nor my Department have any role in the issuing or otherwise of firearms certificates.
