John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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252. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reason the Firearms Consultative Panel, which had been established by her predecessor in 2015, has been discontinued; and if she will re-establish the panel to provide a much-needed, inclusive forum for consultation and engagement with key stakeholders. [17171/24]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the Firearms Consultative Panel (FCP) was a non-statutory forum comprising various firearms interest groups. I understand that it last met in 2019 and I am informed that a breakdown in relations between some of the major firearms interest groups represented on the panel meant that it was not possible for meetings to take place with all groups represented, in effect putting the FCP into abeyance.

Since 2019, my Department has held meetings with individual firearms organisations upon request, and engaged with various firearms stakeholders in other ways. An Garda Síochána also meets with stakeholder organisations in respect of relevant matters.

As part of the consultation process around the work of the Firearms Expert Committee, Minister Browne met with a number of firearms organisations. One issue that was raised was the need for more regular and structured engagement between policymakers and firearms users and, notwithstanding the difficulties that arose in respect of the FCP, that is something my Department is interested in exploring further.