121. To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will provide data in respect of the number of recorded robberies of legally held firearms in the State during the period 2002 to 2007; the number of recorded robberies of legally held firearms to date in 2007; if sufficient measures are in place to minimise such robberies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Tom Sheahan. [22566/07]

121. Deputy Tom Sheahan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will provide data in respect of the number of recorded robberies of legally held firearms in the State during the period 2002 to 2007; the number of recorded robberies of legally held firearms to date in 2007; if sufficient measures are in place to minimise such robberies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22566/07]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Brian Lenihan): Following the submission in 2004 of a report and recommendations by an expert group on crime statistics, it was decided that the compilation and publication of crime statistics should be taken over by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, from the Garda Síochána. The Garda Síochána Act, 2005 consequently makes provision for this and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. Following the setting up of the necessary technical systems and auditing of the data from which the statistics are compiled, the CSO is now compiling and publishing criminal statistics and has published provisional headline crime statistics since the third quarter of 2006. In addition, it has compiled and published a series of quarterly and annual statistics for the period starting with the first quarter of 2003. I understand that the CSO are examining how the crime statistics published might be expanded and made more comprehensive.

I have requested the CSO to provide the statistics sought by the Deputy directly to him.

Every effort is made in the licensing process and otherwise to ensure that all licensed firearm holders are conscious of their obligations in relation to the safe storage of their firearm. To this end all firearm certificates are accompanied by recommendations and advice in relation to the safe storage and security of firearms.

The Criminal Justice Act, 2006 provides for increased fines and penalties for firearm offences. A person found in possession of a firearm in suspicious circumstances or with criminal intent is liable to imprisonment for up to 14 years with a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years.

I recently established a Firearms Consultative Panel to assist with the introduction of a new firearms licensing system which is provided for in the Criminal Justice Act, 2006. The Panel will comprise representatives of the various shooting interest groups, relevant Government Departments and An Garda Síochána. I will make details of the panel and its terms of reference known in the near future.

60. To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether
it is satisfactory that Garda superintendents can not refuse firearm licenses on grounds of
risks to public safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Tom Hayes.
[21129/08]

Questions Nos.7 to 87, inclusive, resubmitted.

146. Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether it is satisfactory that Garda superintendents can not refuse firearm licenses on grounds of risks to public safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21129/08]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern): I can inform the House that Section 4, Firearms Act 1925 addresses conditions of grant of a firearm certificate and specifies that the Superintendent shall, before granting a firearm certificate, be satisfied that the applicant:
(a) has a good reason for requiring the certificate,
(b) can be permitted to have in his possession, use, and carry a firearm or ammunition without danger to the public safety or to the peace, and
(c) is not a person declared by this Act to be disentitled to hold a firearms certificate.

It is, therefore, clear that a Superintendent must always consider public safety when determining the granting of any firearm certificate.

*787. To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number, type and
calibre of firearms for which licences have been issued each year for the past five years
up to 31 July 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Charles Flanagan.
[22612/08]

*797. To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of licences
that have issued for legally held hand guns in each of the past five years. — John Deasy.
[22772/08]

*798. To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the plans he has to
restrict the licensing of hand guns here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. —
John Deasy. [22773/08]

787. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number, type and calibre of firearms for which licences have been issued each year for the past five years up to 31 July 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22612/08]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern): I have requested this information from the Garda Commissioner and I will be in touch with the Deputy on the matter in the near future.

797. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of licences that have issued for legally held hand guns in each of the past five years. [22772/08]
798. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the plans he has to restrict the licensing of hand guns here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22773/08][/i]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern): I propose to take Questions Nos. 797 and 798 together.

I have been informed by the Garda authorities that there has been an increase in the number of handguns licensed in this jurisdiction since 2004 following a legal challenge taken on the temporary custody order made in 1972 by the then Minister for Justice. Prior to that it was generally not the practice to issue licenses for handguns.

I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the number of licenses issued for handguns in the licensing years since the legal challenge is as follows:
Year(1 August to 31 July )|Total(Cumulative Number)
2007/08*|1701
2006/07|1367
2005/06|946
2004/05|305
* 2007/08 figures are operational, provisional and liable to change

I can inform the Deputy that the Firearms (Restricted Firearms and Ammunition) Order 2008 came into effect on 1st May 2008. It designates practically all handguns (except for pistols used in Olympic competitions) to be restricted firearms.

Sections 30 & 32 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 when commenced will mean that an application for a restricted firearm will have to be made to the Garda Commissioner, rather than the local Superintendent. He shall not grant the certificate unless satisfied that the applicant complies with a range of conditions such as having secure accommodation for the firearm, holds club membership, has a good reason for requiring such a firearm, and that the firearm is the only type appropriate for the purpose for which it is required.

I intend to bring the remaining parts of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 into force as quickly as possible and I will bring forward some technical amendments to enable their commencement in the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill which will be published in the coming weeks.

IRLConor wrote: »

Would there be any TD willing to stand up and ask:

"To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to reveal the proportion of gun crime committed by the legal holder of the firearm used. If that statistic is not available would he make a statement explaining why he is bringing forward new firearms legislation in the absence of data to show that it would produce any tangible reduction in crime?"

or something similar? Does anyone know a TD who'd be willing to do that?

*181. To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of serious crimes (details supplied) using firearms which took place during 2003 or during the latest year for which figures are available; the number of these which were carried out with legally held firearms; the number with previously legally held firearms which had been stolen from their owners; and the number carried out with firearms which were not legally held at any time here. — Trevor Sargent. [2322/05]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell): I wish to inform the Deputy that the number of offences recorded in 2003 in which a firearm was used are outlined in the following table:
2003:
Murders|20
Manslaughter|0
Robberies|251
Aggravated burglaries|62
Possession of a firearm|374
Discharge of a firearm|210
A breakdown of the offences by reference to whether or not the weapon used was legally held is not readily available and could only be obtained by a disproportionate expenditure of Garda time and resources.