3.—(1) The Minister may, on its being represented to him by the Minister for Lands that it is necessary to do so in the interests of the preservation of F4[protected wild animals or protected wild birds within the meaning of the Wildlife Act, 1976,], make an order prohibiting the use or carriage of firearms or of firearms of such class or classes as may be specified in the order in a public place or on any lands either throughout the State or in such area or areas as may be specified in the order during such period, not exceeding one month, as may be specified in the order.

(2) The Minister may by order, made after consultation with the Minister for Lands, amend or revoke an order under this section, including an order under this subsection F5[, but an order under this subsection shall not extend for more than a month a period mentioned in subsection (1) of this section].

(3) An order under this section shall not apply in relation to the use or carriage of firearms by members of the Defence Forces or the Garda Síochána or to the use or carriage of a firearm by a person to whom the Superintendent of any district has granted a permit which is in force to use and carry a firearm for a purpose (other than the shooting of F6[such protected wild animals or wild birds]) specified in the permit in that district during a period specified in the permit, if the firearm is being used and carried in accordance with the terms of the permit.

(4) (a) Whenever an order under subsection (1) of this section is in force in relation to any district, the Superintendent of that district may, in his absolute discretion, grant to any person a permit to use and carry in that district for a purpose (other than the shooting of F6[such protected wild animals or wild birds]) specified in the permit during a period specified in the permit a firearm to the use or carriage of which the order applies.

(b) The Superintendent of any district may revoke a permit granted under this section in relation to that district.