Written answers
Tuesday, 11 July 2023
Department of Justice and Equality
Departmental Policies
Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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506. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her Department requested members of the Firearms Expert Committee to fill out a declaration of interests; if any conflicts of interest were identified; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34033/23]
James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The Firearms Expert Committee (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. The FEC was a non-statutory body and its recommendations were advisory only.
On 31 March 2022, I sought expressions of interest from suitably qualified candidates for appointment to the Committee. This call was published on the Department of Justice’s website and shared with various stakeholder organisations.
Although the FEC was not a state board, applicants were made aware of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, which provides a framework for the application of best practice. All members of the Committee were required to act on a fully informed basis, in good faith, with due diligence and care, and in the best interests of the Committee, subject to the objectives set by the Minister.
In order to qualify for appointment, applicants were also required to not have any legal impediment or conflicts of interest likely to interfere with their ability to assume the role of a member of the FEC. In this regard, applicants were requested to identify any potential conflict of interest that might exist in their cover letter and no such conflicts were identified in respect of those appointed to the FEC. However, as was specifically set out in the public expressions of interest document, existing professional or businesses interests involving firearms were not considered as disqualifying conflicts of interest, as individuals with experience and knowledge of the application of firearms legislation of the type associated with such roles was a desirable quality for the role of Ordinary Member.
Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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507. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will extend the remit of the Drogheda Implementation Board and Plan past its current timeline to ensure that the excellent work that continues to be carried out is secured going forward and the remaining implementation recommendations be undertaken; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34039/23]
Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I can assure the Deputy that the Government remains committed to improving safety and wellbeing for the community in Drogheda.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Drogheda Implementation Plan outlines 73 actions to support community safety and chart a path to improved community wellbeing in and around Drogheda.
The Drogheda Plan is an example of the power of cooperation and community. We are gaining momentum in Drogheda and I look forward to seeing further great strides made for the people of Drogheda.
The Plan is reviewed on a quarterly basis, with a progress report published biannually. The Board consists of an independent, voluntary Chair, appointed by the Department of Justice, and 16 individuals representing 14 organisations, ranging from community representatives to senior decision-making representatives from statutory and other key agencies.
The second progress report of the Drogheda Implementation Plan was published in March 2023 and the report identified a number of positive developments in the area.
At a local level, the Drogheda Implementation Board is the core driver and co-ordinator of the activities outlined in the Plan, while my Department provides national oversight to ensure strategic direction, action planning and the delivery of the Drogheda Implementation Plan.
As the Deputy may be aware, I announced a year's extension of the term of the Board earlier this week. This will allow the Board to maintain the positive momentum already built to improve community safety and interagency cooperation in the administration and delivery of services in Drogheda, pending the establishment of a Local Community Safety Partnership (LCSP) for Louth.
The Louth LCSP is expected to be established in 2024 following the planned enactment of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023.
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