asked the Minister for Justice if he will state why no reply has been sent to Mr. Lowry, of Gladstone Street, Clonmel, in answer to his application for a permit to sell sporting guns and ammunition at his hardware shop in Clonmel, and whether, in view of the fact that Mr. Lowry has in the past carried on a large trade in such goods, steps will be taken to have the permit granted at an early date.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - GUN PERMITS.
An application to be authorised as a dealer in firearms and ammunition pursuant to the Regulations made under Section 8 of the Public Safety (Emergency Powers) Act, 1923, was duly received from Mr. Denis Lowry, of Clonmel, through the Gárda Síochána on the 8th February last. That Act expired on the 31st of January, and consequently there was no power pending the passing into law of the Firearms (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1924, to augment the number of dealers in firearms already appointed.
Section 2 of the Firearms (Temporary Provisions) Act empowers the Minister for Home Affairs to make regulations by which (inter alia) persons may be registered as dealers in firearms. These Regulations have now been made, and it is intended at an early date slightly to increase the number of such dealers. The application of Mr. Lowry will then receive due consideration.
asked the Minister for Justice if he will state why no reply has been sent to Mr. Andrew J. Taylor, of Philipstown House, Cappawhite, who states that he has written on two occasions to the Ministry for a permit to carry a shot-gun, and has received no reply to his applications, and whether, in view of the fact that Mr. Taylor cannot recover his gun from British authorities until the necessary permit is granted, he will expedite the granting of same.
Mr. O'HIGGINS
There is no record in the Ministry of the receipt of letters from Mr. Andrew J. Taylor, of Philipstown House, Cappawhite, for a permit to carry a shot-gun. Applications for such a licence should have been made to the Chief Superintendent Gárda Síochána at Thurles, who is the issuing authority for the Tipperary area. Mr. Taylor did apply on the 25th of March last for the return of two sporting guns surrendered to the British authorities, and which were stated to be at Woolwich Arsenal. Arrangements are at present under consideration by which all arms held at Woolwich will be returned to the Ministry of Defence for distribution. The issue of an importation licence would serve no useful purpose pending the completion of arrangements.