2460. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration 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. [59405/26]

While my Department is the competent authority for the import and export of firearms and the licensing of firearms dealers, 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 is the competent authority for the licensing of firearms within the State. Whilst under the Wildlife Act 1976, As Amended, applications for deer hunting licences within the State fall under the remit of the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

The Firearms Act 1925-2023 and the Firearms (Firearm Certificates for Non-Residents) Act 2000 both give the authority for granting licences to Superintendents and Chief Superintendents of An Garda Síochána. Licensing Officers, when considering firearms licence applications, are considered 'persona designata' and cannot have their decision-making process fettered in any way. Neither I nor my Department have any role in the issuing or otherwise of firearms certificates.

Nevertheless, reform of the firearms licensing system has been under consideration for a number of years, and extensive consultation has been undertaken and is continuing with various firearms stakeholders, including representative firearms organisations. My department also regularly holds meetings with individual firearms organisations on request.

I am informed that the fourth in a series of meetings, which began in September 2025, took place on the 28 April 2026. The meetings were attended by a total of 32 participants; attendees comprised Department officials, members of An Garda Síochána’s Firearms Policy Unit and relevant stakeholders from the firearms community and firearms stakeholder organisations.

The objective of these meetings is to provide a mechanism for ongoing engagement with firearms stakeholders from a broad range of areas within the firearms community, ensuring their valuable insights in specific areas of firearms can be considered in any future policy and legislative changes that may arise.

To date, engagement has been extremely positive.