Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 458: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the thinking and philosophy behind the kind of firearms proposed to be restricted for licensed firearm holders; the reasons therefor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2867/07]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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Section 29 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2006 inserts a new section 2B into the Firearms Act, 1925 which provides that I may, in the interests of public safety and security, by order declare specific firearms and ammunition as "restricted firearms" by reference to their category, calibre, working mechanism, muzzle energy and description.

Officials of my Department are currently in discussions with An Garda Síochána and representatives of the main shooting organisations regarding the types of firearm which may be "restricted". Following these discussions the statutory instrument, which will deem certain firearms as "restricted firearms" for the purposes of the section 2B of the 1925 Act, will be finalised. It is important to note that firearms deemed to be "restricted" may be licensed by the Garda Commissioner and any person wishing to obtain such a licence may apply to the Commissioner for a firearms certificate. The Commissioner may issue a firearms certificate for a "restricted firearm" where he is satisfied that the person fully complies with the conditions, set out in section 4 of the 1925 Act, for the grant of a "restricted firearm" certificate.

The purpose of designating certain firearms as "restricted firearms" is to ensure that, in the interests of public safety and security, certain firearms may only be licensed following careful examination by the Garda Commissioner and where specific conditions are met.