Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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2116. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to outline any legislation or plans he has that will impact on the licensing and operation of firearms for hunting and sports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43480/25]

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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2117. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to outline any interaction that he or his Department have had with the Gardaí, the NAGRC and any other stakeholders relating to the licensing and operation of firearms for hunting and sports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43481/25]

Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 2116 and 2117 together.

I can advise the Deputy that I recently met with representatives from the National Association of Regional Game Councils (NARGC), and, separately, representatives from NARGC met with officials from the Firearms Unit of the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.

Officials from my Department also liaise regularly with the Firearms Policy Unit of An Garda Síochána on firearms-related matters.

This year, the Firearms Unit in my Department hosted a series of engagements with firearms stakeholders, including three national forums for Registered Firearms Dealers in Wicklow, Limerick and Carrick-on-Shannon in February. This was followed by two further forums in Mullingar in June for individual firearms owners.

Meetings were also held separately with representative organisations and prospective dealers in Dublin.

While there are currently no plans for legislative change, my Department has organised a further stakeholder meeting to explore some of the issues raised at the various forums in more detail.

This will enable Department officials to collate information to support our commitment to adopting a “best practice” approach to policy and help to establish priorities for legislative change when a suitable opportunity arises.