Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 10 Feb 1998

Vol. 486 No. 6

Written Answers. - Firearms Licences.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Ceist:

89 Mrs. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of firearms licences issued by his Department to persons from outside the State in the years 1996 and 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3193/98]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

The numbers for 1996 are:

Shotguns: first certificate	3,000
Shotguns: second or subsequent certificate	631
Rifles	167
Total	3,798

The 1997 figures are currently being compiled. I will communicate further with the Deputy when they are available. This whole matter is the subject of current legal proceedings taken by the National Association of Regional Game Councils and it would therefore not be appropriate for me to comment any further on it.