Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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364. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality in relation to the current legislation on firearms and the proposal to amend this legislation, if she will outline the proposed requirement of a sponsor for a person under 16 years of age who is undergoing training under the legislation, or the proposed amended legislation if the sponsors are obliged to attend or participate in a course as a sponsor; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24704/15]

Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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365. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality under the Firearms Legislation and the proposals to amend the Firearms Legislation currently under discussion, if it will be permitted for persons under 16 years of age to buy automatic guns, automatic rifles, or shotguns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24705/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 364 and 365 together.

In accordance with Section 2A of the Firearms Act, 1925, as amended, a person over 14 years of age can apply for a firearms training certificate. Such a certificate authorises the person to possess a firearm only while carrying and using the firearm for hunting or target shooting and under the supervision of a specified person over 18 years of age who holds a firearms certificate in respect of the firearm concerned. The Garda Síochána deciding officer in any individual case may impose other conditions in the interests of public safety and security. Deciding officers may also require applicants for firearms certificates to provide proof of competency in the use of the firearm concerned.

An application for a training certificate, where the applicant is under 16 years of age, shall be accompanied by the written consent of the applicant's parent or guardian. There is no current proposal under consideration to amend these provisions. Furthermore, Paragraph 8 of Statutory Instrument 493 of 2010: EC (Acquisition and Possession of Weapons and Ammunition) (Amendment) Regulations, provides that it shall not be lawful for any person to sell a firearm to which EU Firearms Directives apply to a person under 18 years of age.

There is a ban on the licensing of automatic firearms in accordance with EU Directives on control of the acquisition and possession of weapons.