A move to prevent the issuing of firearms licences to non-resident tourist shooters has opened in the High Court. The National Association of Regional Game Councils, which represents 875 gun clubs, is asking the court to restrain two Government Ministers from issuing the licences.
The association is worried about what it regards as the excessive commercial exploitation of migratory game species. It wants an order preventing the Minister for Justice from granting licences to foreign visitors without making any or adequate inquiries. It also wants an injunction restraining the Minister from allowing the Wildlife Service issue hunting certificates to non-resident tourist shooters.
It wants the court to prevent the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht from issuing licences to hunt and kill exempted species.
It also wants an injunction restraining the Minister from issuing licences to non-resident shooters under the Wildlife Act 1976 without making adequate inquiries and satisfying herself about conservation requirements.
Mr Gerard Hogan SC, for both ministers, said it was accepted that up to June 1996, the previous system for granting such licences was not in accordance with the appropriate legislation.
Ms Mary Finlay SC, for the association, said she understood the ministers in their defence were relying on the terms of an EU directive which permitted the granting of a European Firearms Pass which allows firearms to be carried from one State to another.
The hearing before Mr Justice Quirke continues today.