Countryside Alliance Ireland - love the countryside

Our vision is of a vital, working and thriving countryside for the benefit of the whole nation.

We work for everyone who loves the countryside and the rural way of life. Through campaigning, lobbying, publicity and education we influence legislation and public policy that impacts on the countryside, rural people and their activities.

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr. Dermot Ahern, T.D. today outlined his proposals to ban licensed handguns. The Minister said the handgun ban would be included in legislation currently being prepared which will be published shortly.

Minister Ahern said: “Since being appointed, I have made clear my growing concern at the number and type of handguns being licensed".

Statement by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, in Debate on Fine Gael Private Members’ Motion on Crime in the Dáil, 18 November, 2008 I move the amendment.

I welcome the opportunity which the motion before the House tonight gives us to discuss one of the gravest issues which we face:  the threat posed by criminal gangs to our very way of life.