Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 23 Jan 1996

Vol. 460 No. 3

Written Answers. - Northern Ireland Figures.

Dermot Ahern

Ceist:

82 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will ascertain through the Anglo-Irish Secretariat, the number of people registered as farmers in the last Census in Northern Ireland; the number of licensed weapons in Northern Ireland; the number of these weapons which are classified as shotguns, rifles, side arms and hand guns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19372/96]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

I understand that 42,932 persons aged 16 years and over are classified as being engaged in agriculture, forestry and fishing in the 1991 Census of Population for Northern Ireland.

Information provided by the Northern Ireland Minister of State with responsibility for security, Sir John Wheeler MP, in response to a parliamentary question in the House of Commons on 19 December 1995 indicated that as at 31 October 1995 there were 133,769 legally held firearms in Northern Ireland. The following breakdown, according to type of firearm was provided:

Type	Number
Shotguns	85,186
Pistols	9,580
Revolvers	3,448
Rifles .22	12,456
Rifles centrefire	1,279
Air weapons	20,982
Humane killers	122
Signal Pistols	118
Starting Pistols	87
Collectors items	501
Spear guns	10
Total	133,769

I am aware of the concern which exists at the very high number of licensed firearms in Northern Ireland. The British Government announced on 25 November 1995 that a review of the law on firearms in Northern Ireland would be carried out. I trust that this review will address the concern to which I have referred.