asked the Minister for Home Affairs if he will introduce legislation for the protection of game and wild fowl, as owing to the fact that pheasant and partridge have been shot and poached during the close season they are rapidly becoming extinct in this country.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - PROTECTION OF GAME AND WILD FOWL.
Mr. O'HIGGINS
I have no information that the existing laws for the protection of game and wild fowl are insufficient. I will, however, see that these laws are strictly enforced, and if it is found that they are not adequate for the purpose, I will consider the question of further legislation.
Arising out of that answer, I beg to state that they are absolutely out of date altogether.
The Deputy cannot make a statement.
I desire to ask the Minister if he is aware a large number of people in the country, with a 10/- licence, are constantly engaged shooting game, and a still larger number are shooting game without any licence. In view of the fact that the three guinea game licence has become a dead letter, will he consider the advisability of revising the scale of charges from top to toe for the purpose of augmenting the Exchequer?
Mr. O'HIGGINS
I am not aware of the state of affairs alleged to exist by the Deputy. I am prepared to draw the special attention of the police to the matter of licences, both ordinary licences and game licences.