Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)

IPSC shooting is a recognised sport internationally and within the EU. It has been characterised by the Minister and in this legislation in a way which is not necessarily justifiable. I do not believe it is justifiable, however, by accepting the amendment I have tabled, the Minister could leave this open for review and further examination. The amendment leaves to him a discretion following that examination to regulate this sport in a proportionate manner. It is incongruous in the context of a general revision of the regulatory and licensing regime to ban a sport that is internationally recognised, and in particular recognised by member states of the EU, which one would expect to apply the very highest standards and have the same concerns regarding any leakage into the criminal fraternity. There are ways of regulating that and those member states have been able to do that without banning and criminalising sportspeople involved in this sporting activity.

I understand the essence of the sport to be to test the shooting skills of participants in a safe and fun environment and for the love of their chosen sport. If there is any evidence that this is a dramatisation of what the sport is really about, the Minister is obliged to bring that evidence and provide that justification for this draconian measure of criminalising the people who are, and have been for some time, involved in this sport. It is discriminatory, disproportionate and open to challenge, and I persist in my amendment.