asked the Minister for Justice whether he is aware that enormous damage is being done to farm crops by birds and vermin, and whether in the circumstances something could not be done to expedite the return to farmers of shotguns now in military custody, and whether special facilities for the purchase of shotguns and the obtaining of the necessary licences could not be afforded to those farmers who are not now in possession. of guns, and who desire them for the protection of their crops.
CEISTEANNA.—QUESTIONS. [ORAL ANSWERS.] - SHOT-GUNS FOR THE PROTECTION OF CROPS.
While some damage is undoubtedly being done to farm crops by birds and vermin, I am informed that following upon the more general distribution of guns throughout the country such damage is very much less than in previous years. Any person who obtains a Firearm Licence from the police and forwards it to the Chief Ordnance Officer at Island Bridge Barracks, Dublin, together with the original receipt from the British authorities for arms surrendered, will now experience no difficulty in regaining possession of firearms stored there. If the Deputy will furnish particulars of any specific cases of undue delay in dealing with applications for firearm licences, I will have the matter investigated.
I would like to ask the Minister if steps will be taken to have returned firearms taken by the British Authorities for which no receipts were given, wherever they can be identified?
Wherever the owner can be identified, yes.
Is the Minister aware that in certain cases there are names attached to those guns, and in spite of the fact that there are labels on them the guns have not been returned?
How are guns obtainable that are not stored at Island Bridge?
A certain number of guns are at Woolwich Arsenal, and there is more difficulty in securing the return of guns which are at present in Great Britain. That matter is being dealt with by the Defence Department, who are making arrangements with the British for the return of those guns in bulk. The arrangements are not yet completed.
The greatest difficulty of all is found in obtaining guns taken to Carrickfergus and stored there; the bulk of guns taken were stored there.
The arrangements and negotiations with the British include arms stored at Carrickfergus as well as at Woolwich.