Tony Mulcahy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I spoke earlier when quite a few of those making presentations were present.

With regard to the description, it is a cosmetic change to a firearm, even though its capacity has not changed, if I am using the right terminology. The cosmetics of it have changed. It is moving it from unrestricted to restricted. Mr. Tope made the point of having genuine consultation and debate with the Garda and the other authorities regarding what is and is not a suitable firearm. That is what we must decide in that regard. Will the witnesses elaborate on where they envisage this consultation process going? They have given their presentation today and we will move on from here. I appreciate getting an understanding of what firearms are. I have looked at the photographs but they effectively all do the same thing. They are all for the purpose of target shooting.

The other matter of note is that there are two members of the Defence Forces, although I realise they are not giving the view of the Defence Forces but their personal opinions. However, it certainly adds balance to the debate after the original presentation we were given by the Garda. We would trust our Defence Forces as much as we trust the Garda on this. From what I have heard today there is a level of expertise that must be engaged with before we finalise or sign off on anything, and that level of expertise is before us. I know the Garda has resources and the witnesses have said that they trust the Garda implicitly, but I cannot see how a scattered licensing arrangement with over 50 to 100 districts and decision makers can be a fair process for those partaking in sport. We must have some type of single licensing authority and an agreed calibre, or whatever word one wishes to use.