Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
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165. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if any changes have taken place regarding the registration of firearms; the rationale for these changes; and if it is the case that An Garda Síochána has been automatically refusing licences. [8555/14]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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On 1^st August 2009, new firearms licensing application processes were introduced with the commencement of the remaining sections relevant to firearms licensing provided for in the Criminal Justice Act 2006 and the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009.

Each application for a firearm certificate is judged on its own individual merits, having regard to the conditions set out in the Firearms Act 1925 as amended by the Criminal Justice Act 2006 and the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009.

The only exception to an application being considered on an individual basis is with regard to an application to certify a restricted short firearm by an applicant, who did not previously hold a firearm certificate for the firearm on or before 19^th November, 2008. A new section 3D of the Firearms Act 1925, as inserted by section 30 of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, was commenced on 1^st August 2009 which now prevents any application being considered by an issuing person to certify a restricted short firearm that was not already licensed to that applicant on or before the 19^th November, 2008. These applications are not refusals but rather applications that cannot be considered by an issuing person.

In relation to possible changes to firearms licensing, my Department is currently examining key issues relating to firearms licensing in conjunction with An Garda Síochána. I expect to receive recommendations as a result of this process in due course. No decisions will be made in advance of consideration of these recommendations. However, the issue of public safety will be paramount in such consideration.

Opportunities for consultation with relevant stakeholders will be explored when work on the proposals is further advanced.