1.—(1) In this Act, except when the context otherwise requires—

“the Act of 1976” means the Wildlife Act, 1976;

F1[“Commissioner” means the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána or a member of the Garda Síochána, or members of a particular rank in the Garda Síochána, not below the rank of superintendent appointed in writing by the Commissioner for the purpose of performing any of the Commissioner’s functions under this Act;]

“firearm certificate” means a firearm certificate granted under section 2;

“hunting” means shooting with a firearm protected wild birds or protected wild animals within the meaning in each case of the Act of 1976;

“issuing person” shall be construed in accordance with section 2;

“the Minister” means the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform;

“prescribed” means prescribed by regulations made by the Minister;

“the Principal Act” means the Firearms Act, 1925;

F1[“restricted firearm” means a firearm which is declared under section 2B(a) of the Principal Act to be a restricted firearm;]

“sporting purposes” means the purposes of target shooting or clay pigeon shooting or shooting in a competition or event.

(2) In this Act—

(a) a reference to any enactment shall, unless the context otherwise requires, be construed as a reference to that enactment as amended or extended by or under any subsequent enactment including this Act,

(b) a reference to a section is a reference to a section of this Act unless it is indicated that reference to some other enactment is intended,

(c) a reference to a subsection, paragraph or subparagraph is a reference to the subsection, paragraph or subparagraph of the provision in which the reference occurs unless it is indicated that reference to some other provision is intended.