Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent)
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1119. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will establish a new permanent stakeholders forum for licensed firearms holders to ensure ongoing consultation and transparency in decision-making; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11348/25]

Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent)
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1120. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will take steps to ensure that there are no disproportionate restrictions on licensed firearms holders, ensuring that any policy changes are based on evidence, not arbitrary measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11349/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1119 and 1120 together.

Reform of the firearms licensing system has been under consideration for a number of years and extensive consultation has been undertaken on this issue.

My Department holds meetings with individual firearms organisations on request and engages with various firearms stakeholders in other ways, while An Garda Síochána also meets with stakeholder organisations in respect of relevant matters.

The Firearms Expert Committee, a non-statutory advisory body, was established in 2022 to provide guidance on matters related to firearms licensing in the State. The FEC was tasked with making recommendations on a range of firearms matters, 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. Its final reports were published in March 2023 alongside the minutes of each in-person meeting.

Following the delivery of the FEC’s reports, an FEC consultation was launched online in May 2023. This was to ensure that stakeholder organisations, and their members, could engage fully in this consultation process. As part of the consultation process the then Minister of State and Department officials held meetings with a number of such groups so that they could feed in the views of their members, and this process continues.

It is my intention, with Minister of State Collins, to give early consideration to the FEC's reports and the outcomes of the consultation process and to further engage with relevant stakeholders in relation to any potential changes to policy or legislation in this area.

Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent)
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1121. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he recognises the contribution of firearm owners to conservation and rural communities, by supporting policies that balance public safety with the needs of responsible gun owners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11350/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I would like to assure the Deputy that I recognise and acknowledge the dedication and responsibility of the owners of legally held firearms in the State. My Department holds meetings with individual firearms organisations on request and engages with various firearms stakeholders in other ways, while An Garda Síochána also meets with stakeholder organisations in respect of relevant matters.

Notwithstanding the fact that primary responsibility for nature conservation and rural communities rests with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and the Department of Rural and Community Development respectively, my officials do engage and consult where there is an overlap in these areas.