Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 December 2014
341. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will carry out an independent risk assessment of the report on the review of firearms licensing; if she will consider a regulatory impact assessment of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46104/14]
View answer345. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if risk assessment statistics were quoted in the context of the review of the firearms licensing proposals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46189/14]
View answer349. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of the review of the firearms licensing Act, official EU statistics show a low ownership of licensed firearms here, that is, 8.6 per hundred persons, homicides with a licensed firearm are recorded at 0.48 per 100,000 persons and suicides per 100,000 persons at 0.56%, a higher suicide rate than homicide, if this does not contradict the claims being made by the Garda and her Department's proposed review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46202/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 341, 345 and 349 together.
In light of public safety concerns highlighted by An Garda Síochána and difficulties in the interpretation of the legislation expressed by members of the judiciary, a joint Department of Justice and Equality / An Garda Síochána Working Group was established by my Department to review firearms licensing. The Report of this Working Group was published on 13 November and submissions on the Report have been sought from stakeholders and the public by 31 January 2015. The consultation process gives individuals and groups an opportunity to contribute to the development of firearms policy and legislation and will enable consideration to be given to the future direction of such legislation.
I have already given a commitment that I will not make any decisions until I have had the opportunity to consider all the submissions which are made and I meet the key stakeholders, including the organisations who represent those who use firearms for sporting purposes. I would now urge all concerned to engage with this process so that the views of all concerned can be considered before decisions are made in relation to this matter.
In so far as a risk assessment is concerned, the Firearms Licensing Review report has regard to recent relevant EU Commission reports and developments in other jurisdictions in relation to public safety. A regulatory impact assessment will, of course, be conducted if there are any legislative proposals under consideration arising from the consultation process.
I do not consider that the statistics quoted by the Deputy undermine any of the arguments put forward in the review. What I believe is very important is that there is robust legislation in place to ensure the security of the public.
