Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 July 2022
175. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice if she will consider matters (details supplied) in relation to the Firearms Expert Committee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36323/22]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that the members of the Firearms Expert Committee were appointed following a public call for expressions of interest.
On 31 March, 2022, I sought expressions of interests from suitably qualified candidates for appointment to the Firearms Expert Committee. This call was published on the website of my Department and shared with various stakeholder organisations.
The Firearms Expert Committee is made up of five members: an independent Chairperson, a representative of An Garda Síochána, a representative of the Department and two non-governmental Ordinary Members having experience of firearms.
As advised in the expression of interest document, the Ordinary Members of the Committee have been appointed on a personal basis only and not as formal representatives of a particular body or group. This structure was chosen to give balanced representation to both governmental and non-governmental stakeholders, and it is not intended to appoint any additional members at this time. I would point out, however, that both of the Ordinary Members appointed are, or have been, members of national firearms organisations.
The call for expressions of interest was administered by officials in my Department, who will also act as the Secretariat to the Committee. In total, 14 applications were received for the position of Chairperson and 34 for the positions of Ordinary Member.
Given the number of well-qualified applicants, I requested that shortlists of candidates be prepared for final consideration. As referenced in the expression of interest document, these shortlists were prepared by assessing applications against the suitability indicators listed in Annex Two. After careful consideration, I then selected the candidates for appointment from these shortlists.
The Firearms Expert Committee will serve in a Ministerial advisory capacity and bring together the expertise necessary to carry out an assessment of all types of firearms to determine their current use under the existing licensing system and their suitability for future licensing. In doing so, it will give consideration to areas that can be the source of inconsistency in licensing decisions, and it is intended that its report will provide authoritative guidance for use by the Department of Justice and An Garda Síochána in future licensing matters. In line with its terms of reference, the Committee is tasked with making recommendations on these matters for subsequent consideration by the Minister.
The Firearms Expert Committee will not be the only consultation with firearms stakeholders in the coming period. The Justice Plan 2022 contains a commitment to undertake an extensive review aimed at modernising the firearms legislation. Within the plan, Action 34.3 outlines a commitment to identify all outstanding issues requiring reform in the management and processing of firearms licensing, the register of firearms dealers and inspections. In advance of any new or amending measures being introduced, I will be seeking to consult all relevant stakeholders.
