Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to discuss the purpose for which the firearms expert committee was set up, why it was established and what were the wide-ranging matters relating to firearms on which the Minister of State needed advice. It is not long since I asked him a series of questions related to the firearms expert committee, which were mainly based on the serious concerns brought to me by members of gun-related organisations. These primarily included firearms holders and those who wish to engage in recreational hunting and shooting pursuits, as well as those who must carry out pest control to protect their livelihoods. They are, to put it mildly, very annoyed, at the way the whole process has been conducted and are at a loss to understand what the purpose of the firearms expert committee is. The Minister of State replied with the following answer, "The purpose of the [firearms expert committee] was to serve in an advisory capacity to me as Minister, providing guidance on a wide range of matters related to firearms licensing in the State." This was very disappointing and it was a vague response. I have spoken to many different people involved in firearms groups and to judge by what I have been told and have read so far, I have engaged in far more comprehensive consultation with representative groups than has the firearms expert committee.

I ask the Minister of State to explain why this committee was established and what was the wide range of related matters on which the Minister of State needed guidance. The firearms expert committee was established not to provide expert evidence on the issues but as a closed shop to ram through changes to suit a narrow minority of people involved. One of the committee members resigned due to the way the committee was conducting its work. Did the Department consult with this member as to why he resigned? Were any issues identified? Was any expert left on the committee after this committee member resigned?

The other vital question is whether the Department asked appointed committee members to fill out a declaration of interests. If so, were any conflicts of interest identified? If members were not asked to fill out a declaration of interests, the question is, why were they not? Was one of the independent experts appointed to the committee actually employed by the Department of Justice at the time of their appointment as an independent member of that committee? Concerned constituents have approached me and identified possible cases where members of the firearms expert committee could gain a personal, financial benefit if some of this committee's recommendations in the report were to be implemented. There is clear anger among gun users about this because it gives the impression that this whole process is not interested in making changes or improvements for the right reasons.

There is also serious anger and concern about the potential for these recommendations to leave genuine gun users with criminal charges for firearms offences for the most minor and trivial of indiscretions. To outline one example, were someone to register a firearm in County Wexford and were that person invited to shoot in County Carlow at a legitimately organised event, he or she would now become a criminal in charge of an illegal firearm. Falling foul of these things are firearms offences that could stop people getting future licences or even prevent some people from being allowed enter into different countries. It may even work against someone in a child custody case. It could also prevent someone from getting Garda vetting for a job or voluntary position in a club or organisation. It is clear that all of this has been done with little regard for the opinions of those who actually use guns. Consultation has been absent, engagement has been absent and solutions proposed are impractical and non-existent.

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