To answer OP question yes I would pay more, I would also happily pay for deer permit also

Could I be so bold as to ask why? Genuine question.

Watching this post for some time now, my thoughts are:-

License Cost - Would I pay more?

Yes BUT only if the system works and meets the needs and demands of a modern day society, the Garda themselves have stated that the current system is antiquated and basically it sucks. The whole system needs a thorough overhaul.

Is it worth €80 for three years as it currently stands? – NO.

System Operating Costs

For the life of me I cannot understand why some people are including Garda Wages in the cost of operating the system. If you’re a butcher, baker, soldier or Garda you are in full time employment and paid for your services anyway, granted not paid enough in certain jobs. I served in uniform and overseas for 30+ years, one day you’re on duty, another day doing admin, another doing ceremonial, it’s still doing the job. All organisations large or small have a variety of personnel, some are on the front line (boots on the ground), others are employed in support doing admin, logistics, driving, etc, etc.

To include wages in the overall operating cost is ludicrous, and, if it is to be included, then that should be clearly stated in any report.

License Grant Time Frame

The current minimum three month grant time (rarely achieved) is way too long. It should take no more than four weeks, six at most to check documents, vet the applicant and issue a licence.

The Powers That Be - or shouldnt be

It’s no surprise to me that the system sucks and doesn’t work. Just look at our present government and previous governments back over the years. They never get things right, when they do have a good idea it’s never fully funded or implemented; promises are made but never fulfilled. Health is a serious issue for us all, yet some hospitals cannot access your records in another hospital, worse still, some departments within the same hospital cannot access your records, no cross platform.

Madness I say, madness you say, but end of day it’s because of no detailed logical plan, incompetent ministers, incompetent departments, incompetent managers, lack of resources (underfunding, lack of staff, lack of training, under paid staff, etc).

And worse of all, when government departments are found to be lacking or at fault, poof, like magic everyone involved dives for cover, no one is ever held responsible, no one carries the can and no effective action plans are put in place to solve the issues. The best we ever get is some minister or department head surrounded by the usual nodding donkeys in the background saying “we will learn from our mistakes”, “we will put things right”, yeah, we’ve all heard that one on more than one occasion.

The few times their backs were put to the wall, they always took the easy options, ban this, ban that, restrict this, and restrict that,…………………

God be with the good old days of the green paper license. Back then the Station Sergeant or a dedicated Sergeant within the station looked after the issuing of licenses. The sarge knew you and you knew him, all docs in order, walk in, have a chat (even had a cuppa of two occasions) and an hour later walked out with my license, everything done correctly and above board I might add. Alas, the good old days are gone.

That’s my rant for today, I feel better already, at least for a while anyway.

If you don't like how this Government or the last one operate, can you give us any inspired guess as to how the next one will handle firearms licensing?

:D

Currently people are getting paid to do their job, they are either incompetent or just do not care, which then leaves us with the poor service we are receiving for the money we already pay.

Now how in anyone's head does it make sense to pay these same people more money to suddenly do a better job, they are not overnight going to change their ways or practices, no they will will just gladly take the extra money and still provide the same mediocre service.

Now if some of the suggestions mentioned above were implemented, the service streamlined and made to perform in the manner it is already supposed to, then yes there would be a case for it. But as it stands to pay more money for the same is just throwing good money after bad.

Do you own firearms?

Competency you refer to every new applicant has to prove same.

You give permission for Garda to contact you doctor/s on application form.

CPO/Garda can/do check house/security set up on new app and/or renewal.

So your asking for what's already there ........

You can be assured of 3 things in this life...Death, taxes and more restrictive and stupid gun laws!🙄

I refer to your original comment "The licencing should include some form of competency check,firearms safety, random checks etc. If this happens and it costs me money I'm happy to pay it." I pointed out that all this already exists. As you own firearms you know and have admitted this so what you're saying is we should pay more money for current setup? Madness........

My point is what you are looking for already exists. Why pay more for it? The extra cash will not make a difference to the service we get. Good cash after bad.

So what are you saying should happen that's not happening?