Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

The amendment proposes to narrow down further what is provided for in section 10A(3)(e), which states: "the premises where the reloading is to take place are sufficiently safe and secure for that purpose". The Deputy proposes to provide that the premises "has secure storage for required material and equipment and is separate and distinct from living quarters".

I have consulted in this regard and the advice I have received is that the amount of material involved in reloading is quite small and that in some instances, for some people, the most secure place for them to have this equipment is at home rather than in some business premises. If a reloading sportsman who carries out this activity under a permit is required to have the equipment in a place separate from his house, such as a shed, business premises or lock-up premises, to keep the equipment in a separate location would perhaps be less secure than keeping it under the stairs at home or otherwise. It is a judgment call. The advice from the Garda is that it does not believe it would be a good idea to require people to keep all this equipment in a separate place from their home because it would be more vulnerable to theft than if it were kept at home. Sometimes one's home is one of the safer places one has at one's disposal.

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