Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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164. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality concerning the firearms expert committee, if he has received correspondence (details supplied) from an association regarding the firearms expert committee's proposed recommendations and amendments for persons in receipt of a firearms licence; if he will meet with the organisation ; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15699/23]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the Firearms Expert Committee (FEC) was established in June 2022 on a non-statutory basis, with representation from stakeholders, my Department and An Garda Síochána. The purpose of the FEC was to serve in an advisory capacity to me as Minister, providing guidance on a wide range of matters related to firearms licensing in the State. In line with its comprehensive terms of reference, which were made publically available, the FEC was tasked with making recommendations on a range of firearms matters for my subsequent consideration.

I can inform the Deputy that the correspondence from the named organisation requesting a meeting regarding the FEC’s recommendations has been brought to my attention. However, the final meeting of the FEC took place on 3 March, 2023, and its reports have been submitted to me today. As I have emphasised throughout the process, any proposed changes to policy or legislation arising from any of the recommendations by the FEC will of course be subject to prior consultation with firearms stakeholders. I therefore intend to publish the reports in full very shortly and engage in wider consultation.

An immediate meeting with the named group prior to publication of the finalised reports would pre-empt this process. However, I look forward to receiving the input of the named group during this wider consultation and remain open to meeting interested parties in due course.

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The Firearms Expert Committee (FEC) was established on a non-statutory basis, with representation from stakeholders, my Department and An Garda Síochána. The purpose of the FEC was to serve in an advisory capacity to me as Minister, providing guidance on a wide range of matters related to firearms licensing in the State. In line with its comprehensive terms of reference, which were made publically available, the FEC was tasked with making recommendations on a range of firearms matters for my subsequent consideration.

The FEC was made up of five members: an independent Chairperson, a representative of An Garda Síochána, a representative of the Department of Justice, and two non-governmental Ordinary Members having experience of firearms. This structure was chosen to give balanced representation to both governmental and non-governmental stakeholders. Appointment to the FEC was conducted in line with the process advised in the expressions of interest document, which was published on the Department of Justice’s website and shared with various stakeholder organisations. As was advised therein, the Ordinary Members of the FEC were appointed on a personal basis only and not as formal representatives of a particular body or group. I would point out, however, that both of the Ordinary Members appointed are Registered Firearms Dealers and are, or have been, members of national firearms organisations.

Over a period of nine months, the FEC held nine in-person Committee meetings, in addition to one videoconference with representatives of the PSNI firearms licensing branch and one final videoconference Committee meeting concerning the finalisation of the reports. Reports of the in-person Committee meetings, detailing the items of discussion, were published on the Gov.ie website following the conclusion of each meeting and are publically available. The report of the ninth meeting will also be made available on Gov.ieshortly. The FEC heard from a number of expert witnesses during the course of its meetings: officials from the National Parks and Wildlife Service; two experienced licencing officers from An Garda Síochána; officials from the PSNI firearms licencing branch; and officials from the Northern Ireland Office. The FEC further considered a number of submissions that were made to the committee. There is no question of the Committee having sought to exclude input from the group referred to by the Deputy; however, I am informed that no submission was received from it.

I can inform the Deputy that the final meeting of the FEC took place on 3 March, 2023 and its reports have been submitted to me today. As I have emphasised throughout the process, any proposed changes to policy or legislation arising from any of the recommendations by the FEC will of course be subject to prior consultation with firearms stakeholders and I therefore intend to publish the reports in full very shortly.