Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

357. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when it is proposed to re-establish the Firearms Consultative Panel to ensure a structured forum for regular and inclusive engagement between policymakers and organisations representing firearms users; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24103/24]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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.

The Deputy may be aware that since 2019, my Department has held meetings with individual firearms organisations on 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, I 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 that will be explored.