Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 March 2012
441 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will clarify the situation regarding the firearms licensing system; if he proposes to update the system in view of Judge Hedigan’s observation in the High Court regarding the present approach that if the system put in place is not being followed, then both the granting and refusal process is clearly flawed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13825/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI take it the Deputy is referring to a recent High Court case involving Judicial Reviews of decisions by Chief Superintendents in firearms cases. What was at issue were decisions by Chief Superintendents to refuse applications for licenses for high calibre handguns. That case was settled with no admission of wrongdoing on the part of the State but with an undertaking to consider applications afresh and give reasons to applicants where applications are turned down.
As the Deputy will appreciate the settlement involved cases taken by 168 individuals which represented a tiny minority of firearms applications. In an interim report which I received from the Garda Commissioner he indicated that he was reviewing certain aspects of the operation of the firearms licensing system and I await a further report from him.
Tragically, the House will have been reminded in recent weeks of the dangers which licensed firearms can pose for members of An Garda Síochána and others and of the dangers of firearms generally. For my part, I am determined to ensure that in the operation of the firearms licensing system, the question of public safety is paramount.
