John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I accept there is a skill involved, but the difficulty in moving from the skill to the sport element is if the additional marking involves accreditations based on the power of the gun used. I wonder about the sporting element of that. Either way, only seven of 70 votes were in favour of granting membership to the IPSC, based on the notion that they did not respect the fact that practical shooting was considered a sport. The shooting events practised by the IPSC are excellent tests of practical firearms skills. They are not sporting events in the understanding of the ISSF. Military and police shooting activities, as well as training activities for bodyguards and self-defence purposes are necessary and practical, but certainly cannot be considered as sports within the activities of the Olympic movement.

It is also important to clarify the Minister's reliance on the advice of the Garda Síochána. Senator Mullen said the Garda Síochána does not make the law, that it is up to us to do that. At the same time, we all understand that in order to make laws one must rely on experts in one's specific departmental area. It is important to try to come to an understanding of that particular issue. I must reaffirm that gardaí have occasionally visited the centre, so they are speaking from a position of knowledge.

I would like to read a short extract from a letter the Minister received from the office of the assistant commissioner:

Practical pistol and shotgun shooting are new activities which mimic combat or confrontational shooting scenarios. This was developed as a more realistic training method for military and police personnel. The shooting at human shape targets would not be recognised as legitimate firearms use and possession, and the question therefore arises whether such practice is considered a legitimate reason for possessing or using the weapons. There would be concerns that this type of shooting could be seen as training in the use of these weapons, with a view to criminal actions, and as such, the banning of this type of shooting would remove the inherent dangers associated with people engaging in this type of shooting. Again, of course, it is agreed that the scenario based combat simulation situations could easily lead to criminal activity elements using this type of shooting as a cover for training in the use of these weapons... Practical shooting, which is clearly comparable to combat shooting and not target shooting, should be removed and banned, as this type of training in weapons is not legitimate and could be utilised for criminal elements.

This partly explains where the Minister is coming from on the issue. He was not just relying on that letter, as numerous Garda superintendents held a similar point of view. It is fair to make the point that this is not being rushed, but is being based on practical advice.

The Senator also asked why we are not banning paintball. The important difference between practical shooting and paintball is that paintball markers are not harmful and are not lethal. Paintball and airsoft are tag sports for the vast majority of players in Ireland, where the focus is on physical activity, fun and teamwork.