Conor Sheehan (Limerick City, Labour)
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392. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of firearm certificates issued, broken down by county, between 2020 and 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67274/25]

Conor Sheehan (Limerick City, Labour)
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393. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of firearm certificates refused, broken down by county, between 2020 and 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67275/25]

Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 392 and 393 together.

While the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration is the competent authority for the import and export of firearms, An Garda Síochána has a range of functions with regard to the operation of firearms legislation - including the issuing of firearms certificates and authorisations - and remains the competent authority for the licensing of firearms within the State.

The Firearms (Firearm Certificates for Non-Residents) Act 2000 gives the authority for granting licences to Superintendents of An Garda Síochána. Superintendents, when considering firearms licence applications, are considered 'persona designata' and cannot have their decision-making process fettered in any way. As such, neither I as Minister, nor my Department has any role in the issuing or otherwise of firearms certificates.

I am advised by An Garda Síochána that the attached table provides figures for the number of firearms certificates issued by Garda Division between 2020 and 2025, and the total number of refusals for each year. A breakdown of refusals by Garda Division is not possible due to low volumes and the need for excessive redaction.