Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Justice, following her decision to withdraw the public consultation on proposed amendments to firearms licensing and the associated fee increases, to detail (i) the rational for the withdrawal; (ii) any stakeholder feedback that informed her decision; (iii) any procedural or evidential issues, that were identified in the original approach; (iv) whether the cost recovery modelling underpinning the proposed fee increases will be revisited; and (v) any planned next steps including a indicative timetable for bringing forward any revised proposals.
Minister of Justice: (i) Rationale for withdrawal My Department listened to the responses from consultees and key stakeholder groups and acknowledged that aspects of the consultation may benefit from further consideration. Therefore, I decided to withdraw the consultation in its current form.
(ii) Stakeholder feedback Respondents, including representative bodies, shooting organisations and other interested parties sought additional information to inform their responses. Concerns were also expressed regarding the service delivery and value for money within PSNI Firearms and Explosives Branch.
(iii) Procedural or evidential issues Officials will now take time to fully evaluate the feedback from respondents, whilst committing to engage with key stakeholders, when appropriate, to inform the way forward.
(iv) Cost recovery modelling The cost recovery model that informed the proposed fee increases was one of a number of options considered and will be revisited, as will all other options.
(v) Next steps and indicative timetable My Department will take time to reflect on the concerns that have been raised and begin development of revised proposals to inform future plans, including an indicative timetable.
ENDS
Your MLA 