Ireland: a ministerial licence, valid to the next 31 July
The Minister may grant a licence to hunt with firearms; it expires on the 31 July following its grant or renewal.
Section 29 of the Wildlife Act 1976 places the decision with the Minister. He may, if he thinks fit, grant to a person ordinarily resident in the State — who on applying makes a declaration in a form he approves — a licence to hunt and kill with firearms exempted wild mammals other than hares, subject to the restrictions in section 33. A second route exists for non-residents: the Minister may grant to a person ordinarily resident outside the State, making the same declaration, a licence to hunt and kill with firearms exempted wild mammals and the protected wild birds to which an order under section 24 for the time being applies. The Minister is not bound: in determining an application or renewal he must have regard to the conservation requirements of the species concerned and to the applicant's suitability having regard to those requirements or to the purposes of the act. The licence runs from the day it is granted or renewed to the next following 31 July; subject to its terms it authorises the holder to hunt and kill with firearms any fauna to which it relates, in accordance with such orders under section 24 or 25 as are for the time being in force. The same section meshes with firearms law: an application for a firearm certificate, or its renewal, is made to a Superintendent of the Garda Síochána under the Firearms Acts of 1925 and 1964.