Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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402. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 324 of 17 February 2015, if she will provide an update on the progress made by the joint working group of her Department and An Garda Síochána; if the working group has met with interest groups and considered all submissions received; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14837/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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In light of public safety concerns highlighted by An Garda Síochána, a joint Department of Justice and Equality/ An Garda Síochána Working Group was established by the Department of Justice and Equality to review firearms licensing. The report of this Working Group was published on 13 November 2014 and submissions on the report were sought from stakeholders and the public by 31 January 2015. The consultation process gave individuals and groups an opportunity to contribute to the development of firearms policy and legislation and will enable consideration to be given to the future direction of such legislation. The submissions received are being examined.

The Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality also sought submissions and held hearings with interested parties in relation to the Working Party report and published an interim report on the matter earlier this month.

I have already given a commitment that I will not make any decisions until I have met the key stakeholders, including the organisations who represent those who use firearms for sporting purposes. I intend to meet the key stakeholders in the near future.