Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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155. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if a family member or a relation can act as a character referee in respect of a person making a request for a licence for a firearm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28092/18]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Section 4 of the Firearms Act 1925, as amended, provides the conditions to be satisfied prior to an issuing person granting a firearm certificate. Further information may be sought from an applicant by an issuing person, including the names and addresses of two referees who may be contacted to attest to the applicant's character, under Section 4(3) of the Act.

I am advised by An Garda Síochána that it is important to ensure that referees have an adequate knowledge of the applicant. In that regard, regular contact, whether in a professional, business or social context, with an applicant for a period of at least five years is an example of adequate knowledge of the applicant. I am also advised that referees need not have any knowledge of firearms or shooting sports, but they should be in a position to comment on the applicant’s general character and background and an issuing person may consider that a referee should be over 18 years of age. Accordingly, An Garda Síochána have confirmed that a family member or relation would be considered suitable to act as a referee in respect of a person making an application for a firearms certificate.