Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 11 Jun 1998

Vol. 492 No. 3

Written Answers. - European Firearms Pass.

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

68 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason his Department has refused to include a .22 single shot target pistol on the EU firearms pass of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that, as a result of this refusal, he cannot secure a temporary permit for the firearm which he needs in order to participate in a competition in Spain in June 1998; the steps, if any, he will take to ensure that he can participate in this competition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13914/98]

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

The European Firearms Pass is a document which is issued on request by the authorities of a member state to its own nationals, on which is entered details of the firearm of firearms possessed and used by the holder of the pass. The policy since 1972 in this country has been to issue certificates for certain firearms only, namely, crossbows, shotguns, unrifled airguns and rifles up to .22 inches except in the case of deer hunting and competitive target shooting when bolt action rifles up to .270 may be licensed.

The firearm referred to by the Deputy cannot be licensed in this country therefore, and a person may not legally possess it. It follows that details of such a firearm cannot be entered on a European Firearms Pass. I am aware of the difficulties experienced by the person referred to by the Deputy. However, I understand that he has made alternative arrangements to meet the situation.