Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

I move amendment No. 111:

In page 48, line 18, to delete "18 years" and substitute "21 years".

The amendment simply raises the age at which a person may be registered as a firearms dealer from 18 to 21 years, as I agreed to do on Committee Stage.

Deputy Jim O'Keeffe's amendment No. 112 is similar to his amendment No. 110 regarding disentitlement to hold a firearms certificate for a person who has been sentenced to prison for a violent crime. While I understand the Deputy's point, the amendment is not necessary because under section 9 of the 1925 Act, it is a matter for the Minister to decide who shall be registered as a firearms dealer, and I am required when deciding whether to register a person to have regard to the character of the applicant.

In this context it is normal before registering a person as a firearms dealer to have regard to any offences committed by the applicant. However, if a person at the age of 18 years was sentenced to one month's imprisonment for being involved in a fracas, that does not necessarily mean that at the age of 45 that person must be branded as one who could not be a firearms dealer.

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