I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Ardagh, to the House and take this opportunity to congratulate her on her recent appointment. I wish her all the best in her new role.

I raise an issue of significant concern to many law-abiding firearm licenceholders throughout rural Ireland. Ireland has approximately 150,000 firearm licenceholders, accounting for more than 210,000 licensed firearms. Firearms ownership is tightly regulated and Ireland's licensing regime is widely regarded as one of the most stringent in Europe. While many firearms certificates are processed efficiently, concerns continue to be reported across the country regarding inconsistencies in interpretation and implementation of the licensing system. These concerns include lost or misplaced applications; delays in processing; additional documentation requirements that go way beyond the published guidelines; applicants being told they own too many firearms, despite meeting the legal requirements; and the failure to provide formal refusal letters outlining the reasons for decisions. These inconsistencies undermine confidence in the system and create unnecessary uncertainty for responsible licenceholders who are simply seeking to comply with the law.

There are also concerns regarding the stakeholder engagement process established by the Department. At a recent meeting in Kilmainham, concerns relating to inconsistencies in firearms licensing were reportedly ruled out of order. If issues regarding the day-to-day operation of licensing systems cannot be discussed at the appropriate forum, it is difficult to know where they can be discussed, other than on the floor of this House. I understand a further phase of stakeholder engagement is planned for the coming months. Will the Minister of State confirm that concerns relating to inconsistencies in the interpretation and implementation of firearms licensing, which stakeholders report were ruled out of order during the first phase of engagement, will specifically be included in the next phase? I also ask her to review the structure of the forum. There remains uncertainty regarding its remit, membership and representation, and it appears many participants attend in an individual capacity rather than as representatives of recognised national organisations.

These concerns were reinforced at a recent briefing in the audiovisual room in Leinster House, hosted by the National Association of Regional Game Councils, NARGC, and the Firearms Users Representative Group, FURG, which was well attended by Members from across the political divide and from all parties. It provided an opportunity to hear directly from firearms users affected by these issues.

As the holder of a number of licensed firearms, a lover of rural pursuits and chairman of my local gun club, in Ardrahan, County Galway, I acknowledge the work of the NARGC, which is the umbrella body for all the small gun clubs right around the country, and FURG, both of which have consistently highlighted the concerns of licensed firearm users across Ireland.

I ask the Minister of State, as a matter of urgency, to meet representatives of FURG and the NARGC, the largest rural pursuits membership organisation in the country and the second-largest sports organisation in Ireland in terms of membership after the GAA, to hear directly from them regarding the challenges facing licensed firearms holders and to ensure their concerns are reflected in future policy decisions. The 150,000 licensed firearms holders in this country deserve a fair, consistent and transparent licensing system, meaningful engagement with the Government and a voice in decisions that may significantly affect their activities.

I thank the Senator for his kind remarks at the outset. I thank him for raising the issue today. Firearms are now one of my delegated responsibilities. While the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration is the competent authority for the importation and exportation of firearms and the licensing of firearms dealers, An Garda Síochána, as the Senator knows, has a range of functions with regard to the operation of firearms legislation, including the issuing of firearm certificates and authorisations, and is the competent authority for the licensing of firearms within the State.

The Firearms Acts 1925 to 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 personae designatae and cannot have their decision-making fettered in any way. Neither the Department nor I have a role in the issuing, or otherwise, of firearms licences.

I note the Senator’s comments on inconsistencies in the implementation and administration of firearms licensing. He mentioned a stakeholder engagement meeting where certain comments were out of order. I cannot confirm or deny that because I was not present at the meetings. Nevertheless, I am advised that reform of the firearms licensing system has been under consideration for a number of years, as the Senator well knows and has highlighted. Extensive consultation has been undertaken and is continuing, and there is regular and structured engagement between the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration and firearms users.

I am informed that the most recent engagement took place on 28 April 2026, and more than 20 representatives of the firearms community and firearms stakeholder organisations attended a meeting with officials. This was the fourth in a series of meetings that have taken place since 18 September 2025. I understand there will be further engagement with me personally and the Department. The stakeholders attending these meetings include several from representative organisations, experts in technical areas of firearms and members of An Garda Síochána’s firearms policy unit. I am informed that reform of the current licensing system is one of the issues being discussed at the meetings.

The administration surrounding firearms licensing is very complex, as the Senator is probably very well aware. It is governed by both national and European legislation to which each member state must adhere. Diligent consideration must be given to the potential ramifications of any contemplated change. Accordingly, this process is incremental.

It is intended to continue the proactive and open engagement that has taken place thus far. A consultation phase is due to commence in the coming months with official firearms representative organisations to discuss the findings of recent engagements. I thank the Senator again and look forward to working with him on this matter going forward.

I thank the Minister of State very much for her answer. Although I take on board what the Minister of State has said, there is no doubt but that there are glaring inconsistencies right across the country, even from division to division and from station to station, in the implementation of the existing rules on the granting of firearms licences, particularly for young people who want to enter the sport. We have to tighten up regarding the inconsistencies. People need to know where they stand.

At the current talks in Kilmainham between the various stakeholders, the NARGC, the second-largest sports body in Ireland, does not have an official representative. What we have is the equivalent of a task force to discuss the future use of hurleys without an invitation to the GAA to attend. It is crazy. We need attendance in an official capacity by the second-largest sports body in Ireland, the NARGC. Although it has over 80,000 members, it does not have an official representative on the task force. It is bizarre to even comprehend the make-up of the task force. I urge the Minister of State to take this on board, and I look forward to working with her on this.

I am listening and the Senator’s point is very well made. Officials from my Department intend to continue with the ongoing stakeholder engagement meetings and the proactive and open engagement that has taken place. I will pass on the point the Senator has made.

The objective of the meetings is to provide a mechanism for ongoing engagement with firearms stakeholders across 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 or legislative changes that may and, it is safe to say, need to arise. Stakeholder organisations are encouraged to make submissions to the meetings, engage with other stakeholders and contribute. Any stakeholder organisation that would like to contribute is also welcome to engage with the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration on the matter.

I am sure the NARGC has contacted the Department.

Not in my jurisdiction.

Yes. Various stakeholders have expressed their appreciation and satisfaction as to how the series of meetings have progressed thus far. I am informed that they thanked the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for its willingness to initiate a programme for change and look forward to working positively with the Department in the future.