Firearms Expert Committee

3 May 2023

Public Consultation on the Recommendations of the Reports of the Firearms Expert Committee

What this is about

The Minister of State at the Department of Justice, James Browne TD, established the Firearms Expert Committee (FEC) on a non-statutory basis, in June 2022. The FEC included representation from stakeholders, the Department of Justice and An Garda Síochána. The purpose of the FEC was to serve in an advisory capacity to Minister Browne, providing guidance on a wide range of matters related to firearms licensing in the State.

The FEC held nine in-person Committee meetings over a period of nine months. The final reports of the FEC were published on 31 March 2023. The reports, along with the summaries and minutes of the FEC’s meetings are available below.

The FEC reports contain recommendations to the Minister on a wide range of firearms matters, in line with its comprehensive terms of reference. Minister Browne has stated throughout the FEC process that no changes to policy or legislation arising from any of the recommendations of the FEC will be implemented without prior consultation with stakeholders.

Minister Browne has now launched an online consultation platform. This will allow stakeholders to indicate their level of support for all of the substantive recommendations of the FEC.

What are we asking you to do

Minister Browne is encouraging as many people and organisations as possible to participate in the consultation so that everyone with an interest in these important matters can have their voices heard.

The Online Consultation

Complete the online consultation by clicking here: Consultation on the Recommendations of the Reports of the Firearms Expert Committee

The deadline for completing the consultation is Friday, 02 June 2023

What will happen to your consultation application

Your consultation will help inform the Department of Justice on a wide range of matters related to firearms licensing in the State

23 June 2022

Following the selection process for appointment to the Firearms Expert Committee, Ms. Emma Meagher Neville has been selected for the position of Chairperson.

• Ms. Meagher Neville qualified as a solicitor in 1998 and is currently the Vice President of the Southern Law Association (SLA) and a Council member of the Law Society of Ireland.
• Mr. Paul Walsh and Mr. Fabian Connolly, both Registered Firearms Dealers with extensive experience in this area, have been selected for the positions of Ordinary Member.
• Superintendent in Crime Legal, Brian Murphy has been appointed to represent An Garda Síochána on the Committee and Mr. John Guinane, the Firearms Range Inspector, has been appointed to represent the Department of Justice.

A call for expressions of interest for candidates for appointment to the Committee closed on 29 April, 2022.

In total, 14 applications were received for the position of chair and 34 for the positions of ordinary member.

The Firearms Expert Committee will serve in an advisory capacity on firearms matters and will carry out an assessment of all types of firearms to determine their current use under the existing licensing system and their suitability for future licensing.

It is expected that the first meeting of the Committee will be held in July 2022.

Officials from the Criminal Policy Function of the Department of Justice will act as the Secretariat to the Committee.

Minister of State at the Department of Justice James Browne TD noted the very high level of firearms expertise and experience demonstrated in the expressions of interest process and thanked all candidates for their interest in the positions.

• Introductory Paper
• Mode of Work
• First Meeting Summary and First Meeting Minutes of the Firearms Expert Committee (26th July 2022)
• Second Meeting Summary and Second Meeting Minutes of the Firearms Expert Committee (6th September 2022)
• Third meeting Summary andThird Meeting Minutes of the Firearms Expert Committee (14th October 2022)
• Fourth meeting Summary and Fourth Meeting Minutes of the Firearms Expert Committee ()1st November 2022
• Fifth meeting Summary and Fifth Meeting Minutes of the Firearms Expert Committee (28th November 2022)
• Sixth meeting Summary and Sixth Meeting Minutes of the Firearms Expert Committee (6th December 2022)
• Seventh meeting Summary and Seventh Meeting Minutes of the Firearms Expert Committee (9th January 2023)
• Eight meeting Summary and Eigth Meeting Minutes of the Firearms Expert Committee ()10th February 2023
• Ninth meeting Summary and Ninth Meeting Minutes of the Firearms Expert Committee (3rd March 2023)