Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 May 2023
167. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice the reason that superintendents in An Garda Síochána are implementing recommendations from the firearms expert committee before the online consultation is over (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25321/23]
View answerI established the Firearms Expert Committee (FEC) in June 2022 on a non-statutory basis, with representation from stakeholders, my Department and An Garda Síochána. The purpose of the FEC was to serve in an advisory capacity to me as Minister, providing guidance on a wide range of matters related to firearms licensing in the State. In line with its comprehensive terms of reference, which were made publicly available, the FEC was tasked with making recommendations on a range of firearms matters for my subsequent consideration.
The final meeting of the FEC took place in March 2023, and the Committee has finalised its reports. The reports have been submitted to me and I have published them along with the minutes of the FEC’s meetings on Friday, 31 March 2023, on Gov.ie. As I have emphasised throughout the process, the role of the FEC was to make recommendations to me for subsequent consideration. Any subsequent changes to policy or legislation arising from any of the recommendations by the committee will of course be subject to prior consultation with the relevant stakeholders.
An online consultation platform was launched on 3 May 2023 and will run until 2 June 2023. This will allow everyone with an interest to indicate their level of support for all of the substantive recommendations of the FEC. I have also sought written submissions on the recommendations of the FEC from a range of stakeholder organisations and intend to meet with such organisations in due course.
The FEC considered a wide range of matters relevant to firearms stakeholders. Insofar as the claims made by the Deputy are concerned, the position is that no direction or request has issued to An Garda Síochána in respect of the FEC’s recommendations. As the Deputy will know, An Garda Síochána has a range of functions with regard to the operation of firearms legislation in the State, including the issuing of firearms certificates and authorisations, and I can confirm that there has been no change in policy or law as a result of the recommendations. An Garda Síochána is of course independent in the discharge of its functions and that is as it should be.
