Firearms and Ammunition Security

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 February 2014

Tuesday, 18 February 2014

Ceisteanna (549, 550, 559, 578)

Mattie McGrath

Ceist:

549. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the proposals submitted to him by An Garda Síochána seeking new legislation to ban almost all handguns which are currently licensed, including centre fire and most of those .22 calibres which are on the Garda Commissioner’s list of unrestricted handguns; and the proposals which seek the banning of all pump action and semi-automatic shotguns which are capable of holding more than three rounds and all semi-automatic centre fire rifles. [7554/14]

Mattie McGrath

Ceist:

550. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the fact that if he accedes to the Garda proposals a very large number of firearms which are currently licensed will be banned and licence holders will be required either to sell them in what will then be a non-existent market or have them destroyed, as under the Garda proposals there will be no scheme of compensation for the effective confiscation of property and no compensation for licence holders who were required by the State to expend significant amounts of money in enhanced security arrangements at their homes to licence these firearms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7555/14]

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

559. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans regarding gun control and availability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7752/14]

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

578. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he is considering proposals to ban a number of classes of firearms including handguns and pump action and semi-automatic shotguns; his views on whether such a proposal will lead to a large number of licensed firearms being banned and destroyed or sold by their owners; if he will agree that the market for selling such banned firearms will be restricted in view of the ban; his plans to introduce a scheme of compensation for such licensed owners; his views on whether any new proposal to ban certain firearms will have a detrimental effect on rifle range owners and businesses and on members of the National Association of Regional Game Councils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8138/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice and Equality

I propose to take Questions Nos. 549, 550, 559 and 578 together.

In relation to possible changes to firearms licensing I refer the Deputies to my reply to Questions Nos. 458 and 464 (6692/14 and 6776/14) of 11 February 2014 and to Questions Nos. 143, 149 and 153 (6989/14, 7049/14 and 7126/14) of 12 February 2014. The position is unchanged since then.

Reply to questions 6692/14 and 6776/14 of 11 February 2014 and to questions 6989/14, 7049/14 and 7126/14 of 12 February 2014:

My Department is currently examining key issues relating to firearms licensing in conjunction with An Garda Síochána. I expect to receive recommendations as a result of this process in due course. No decisions will be made in advance of consideration of these recommendations. However, the issue of public safety will be paramount in such consideration.

Opportunities for consultation with relevant stakeholders will be explored when work on the proposals is further advanced.