Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 October 2004
272 Mr. J. Breen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason he is refusing to meet members of the National Association of Regional Game Council to discuss aspects of the Criminal Justice Bill 2004. [23642/04]
View answerI and officials of my Department have previously met with representatives of holders of firearms certificates in connection with proposed amendments of the provisions of the Firearms Acts.
As the Deputy is aware, section 30 of the Criminal Justice Bill 2004, published in July 2004, amends section 4 of the Firearms Act 1925 to improve security arrangements for the storage of firearms. Additional amendments to the Firearms Acts will be brought forward during the Bill's passage through the Oireachtas to further improve and modernise the firearms code.
When the Bill was published an invitation was issued to the general public inviting views on this provision to be posted via my Department's website. My Department has received a large number of comments in response. These will be taken into account in the drafting of the other amendments which are under consideration at present. In this context, officials of my Department can again meet with representatives of the NARGC to hear their views.
