Opposition criticism of the Government's Firearms (Temporary Provisions) Bill was strongly rejected by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
Mr O'Donoghue said the legislation was an interim measure to allow hunting licences and firearm certificates to be issued to non-residents pending the consideration of more comprehensive proposals from a review group. The Act would expire 12 months after the date of its passing, subject to the possibility of one further extension if considered absolutely necessary. He remarked: "The opposition is trying to take the gun out of Irish tourism."
Mr O'Donoghue said the Bill followed a High Court judgment last month which found the procedures in granting firearm certificates to non-resident hunters were ineffective and insufficient. The Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, Ms de Valera, said without the legislation it would not be possible for her Department to issue licences to an estimated 3,000 applicants.
The Fine Gael spokesman on justice, Mr Jim Higgins, said the Bill was hastily drafted and had not been properly thought through. "I am very sympathetic to the interests of tour operators who promote shooting and hunting holidays and am appreciative of the people who benefit from the 3,000 foreign visitors whom they bring here. However, I believe that the safety and security of the individual has to take precedence over all other considerations," he added.
Mr Emmet Stagg (Labour, Kildare North) warned the Minister that he was walking into a "legal and constitutional quagmire" and a political row would ensue which would overshadow the rod licence dispute. The Democratic Left spokeswoman on justice, Ms Liz McManus, said that a temporary measure was being introduced as a panic reaction to what had been a long-standing issue. "The Government is ramming this Bill through the House without any consideration of the public interest and with all eyes on the tourism business," she added.
Mr John Gormley (Green Party, Dublin South East) said that the signal the Bill was sending out was the same as an advertising campaign in the wealth centres of Europe saying "wildlife for sale, shoot on sight, apply to the Irish Government". The Bill passed all stages.
In the last two years £17,388,000 has been spent on criminal legal aid, according to the Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue. He told Mr Eoin Ryan (FF, Dublin South East) that £8,251,000 was spent in 1996 and about £9,137,000 last year.