Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Major sporting, hunting, shooting and farming organisations have serious concerns regarding the recently published report of the firearms expert committee, FEC. There are also concerns regarding the make-up of this committee. Firearms users have come together to form a representative body and they want to meet the Minister of State, Deputy James Browne, and to be consulted about safe and proper access to firearms. These groups are trusted. We are talking about part of their culture and heritage. All they want is to be involved, to be engaged with and to ensure that whatever proposals emerge, there is agreement and that they can be broadly accepted. I ask the Tánaiste to ask the Minister of State if he will meet with representatives of the umbrella group for all these groups in the interests of ensuring rural pursuits can continue safely in future.

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