Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

We are all agreed that this is an extremely complex area of legislation. As such, the minutiae of which gun qualifies under one category or another for certification and licensing are best left to statutory instruments. Deputy Ó Snodaigh is proposing in these amendments that all such statutory instruments must be discussed in committee prior to their implementation. There would be great practical difficulties in such an approach. There are already frequent complaints from the Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights that there is insufficient time to examine proposals laid before it. It is one of the busiest committees in the House. I am not sure there would be great support for the proposition that every statutory instrument in this area, let alone across the broader spectrum of justice, must be discussed before being implemented.

The best solution is the one recommended by Deputy Flanagan in his amendment No. 9, which I am taking on board via my amendment No. 10. This provides for an annual review of the operation of the legislation which will provide Deputies with an opportunity to raise issues of concern to them, including the question of fees. I am not sure where Deputy Flanagan received his information regarding an apparent licence fee of €99 per year. There is no such charge. This legislation provides for a three-year licence, but for some three months running up to the renewal date, people will be able to avail of their new licence free of charge. This is being done to allow for the bedding down of the new regime and in recognition of the more than 200,000 licences already in operation. The changes will be made on a graduated basis to manage the workload. There will be one fee for the new three-year licence.

For the reasons outlined, I cannot accept amendments Nos. 7 and 8. However, I accept the spirit of amendment No. 9, the substance of which is addressed by my amendment No. 10.

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