Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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281. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will commit to meet with the representatives of the Firearms Users Representative Group (FURG) in respect of the review of firearms legislation; if so, when; if not, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20351/23]

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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288. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will ensure that both he and the Firearms Expert Committee immediately engage and consult with a group (details supplied) in a meaningful way and to appoint a representative from the group to the Firearms Expert Committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20437/23]

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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293. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will give assurances that any proposals brought forward by the Firearms Expert Committee will be backed by publicly available data and that all impacted parties will have a voice in the final decisions being made, including the actual firearms owners and those who will be most impacted by increased restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20485/23]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 281, 288 and 293 together.

I can advise the Deputies that I established the Firearms Expert Committee (FEC) 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 publicly available, the FEC was tasked with making recommendations on a range of firearms matters for my subsequent consideration, including carrying out an assessment of all types of firearms to determine their current use under the existing licensing system and their suitability for future licensing.

The Deputies may be aware that the final meeting of the FEC took place on 3 March 2023 and that I received the final reports from the FEC which I published on Friday, 31 March 2023 on Gov.ie.

As I have emphasised throughout the process, any proposed changes to policy or legislation arising from any of the recommendations of the FEC will be subject to prior consultation with firearms stakeholders.

I can inform the Deputies that today I launched the FEC consultation online on Gov.ie. This will ensure that stakeholder organisations, and their members, can engage fully in this consultation process. I would encourage as many people and organisations as possible to engage with this process to make their views known. I have also sought written submissions on the recommendations of the FEC from a range of stakeholder organisations and intend to meet with such groups, including the organisation referred to by the Deputies, having received their written submissions and following the conclusion of the wider public consultation.