Eileen Lynch (Fine Gael)

I raise the establishment of a new stakeholder forum for licensed firearms holders. Licensed firearms, namely, shotguns and rifles, have an important place in rural Ireland. Farmers and hunters use licensed firearms to control vermin and tackle predators, protect crops, livestock and poultry and protect habitats and biodiversity, including in cases of overpopulation of deer. In addition, game hunting is an important cultural and recreational pursuit in rural Ireland, evidenced by the enduring presence of more than 1,000 gun clubs in communities and parishes around Ireland, boasting approximately 25,000 members nationwide.

Just as licensed firearms use is important to the economic, social and cultural life of rural Ireland, licensed firearms users are important stakeholders who should have a voice when it comes to debates and discussions on firearms regulation in Ireland. Many of the rural groups representing licensed firearm users have expressed concerns about inconsistencies in the interpretation and implementation of firearms legislation. One would imagine these groups would be in a position to bring these concerns to the table and have discussions with the Department of Justice and An Garda Síochána but the problem is there is no table. This forum does not exist. There was previously a firearms consultative panel comprised of various firearms interest groups which the Department consulted with on various matters relating to firearms. However, this panel has not met since 2019, covering the lifetime of the previous Government, which is disappointing for those involved in this industry.

Twelve months ago, rural stakeholder groups were told by the Department that the need for more regular and structured engagement between policymakers and firearms users would be explored. A year later, there has still been zero progress on this. However, there has been progress by the rural stakeholder group. The firearms users group, which is a coalition comprising groups such as the National Association of Regional Game Councils, the Irish Deer Commission and farm organisations, including the IFA, ICMSA, ICSA and the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association, have come together to develop proposals, for example, a membership structure and terms of references for a new permanent stakeholders forum for licensed firearms holders. These proposals have been submitted to the Department of Justice, including to the new Minister. The groups are still awaiting a response.

I ask the Minister of State to commit today to meeting the firearms users group and the NARGC to discuss the proposals and to further commit to establishing a new stakeholder forum for licensed firearms holders. Rural firearms users should have a seat at the table and, in this case, the first job is to bring back the table and allow discussions to happen.