8Investigation of application

8 Investigation of application

(1)  On receipt of an application for a licence, the Secretary may carry out such investigations and inquiries as the Secretary considers necessary to determine the application.

(1A)  [Section 8 Subsection (1A) inserted by No. 22 of 2024, s. 7, Applied:08 Nov 2024] Without limiting the generality of subsection (1) , the Secretary is to forward a copy of an application for a licence to the Commissioner of Police.

(1B)  [Section 8 Subsection (1B) inserted by No. 22 of 2024, s. 7, Applied:08 Nov 2024] The Commissioner of Police is to inquire into, and report to the Secretary on, such matters concerning the application for a licence as the Secretary requests.

(1C)  [Section 8 Subsection (1C) inserted by No. 22 of 2024, s. 7, Applied:08 Nov 2024] The Commissioner of Police is not required to disclose information under subsection (1B) to the extent that to do so would prejudice the prevention, investigation or prosecution of an offence.

(2)  The Secretary may, by notice in writing, require an applicant to –

(a) provide such information, and produce such records, as are relevant to the investigation of the application and specified in the notice; and

(b) provide the Secretary with such authorities and consents as the Secretary directs to enable the Secretary to obtain financial or other confidential information concerning the applicant from other persons.

(3)  If a requirement made under this section is not complied with, the Secretary may refuse to determine the application.