Mr. Fergus Healy:

The application process is rigorous and it is fair to say the chief superintendents and superintendents who make the decisions take great care in doing so. The majority of people who are not suitable to hold firearms are refused at the initial application stage. However, I cannot give an exact figure for the number of licences that have been revoked, but there are occasions on which An Garda Síochána must do so, for example, if there are incidents in homes. In cases in which domestic matters arise and licensed firearms are an issue An Garda Síochána may be required to take action. There is due process with respect to any decision made by a chief superintendent or a superintendent to revoke a firearm licence.

We are very mindful of the need to be fair to any party with respect to these decisions.