Mr. Declan Keogh:

It can be demonstrated in a number of ways. It is a reasonably broadly based in that one can be a member of a recognised club and by virtue of that one is deemed to be competent in the use of a particular firearm. The recognised clubs have protocols in place for safety training and firearms training. A certificate can also be provided by a body. In our clubs we have brought forward a structure of firearms instructor training and individual training. Between 2004 and 2006, I personally trained more than 350 people in competency in pistols because I am a pistol instructor. That ethos has gone forward so every club has a mandatory safety course. There is also individual coaching for individual firearms because they are all different. That structure does exist and the proof of the pudding is when we look at the safety record of our clubs. In the 30 years in which I have been involved in clubs, we have not had one firearms related accident on our ranges that resulted in injury.