I beg to move:—"That the Firearms Bill, 1925, be received for final consideration." On the Committee Stage of this Bill I informed Deputy Hennessy that I would consider the amendment of sub-section (3), paragraph (e) of Section 2, in order to make it clear that the exemption from the necessity of possessing a firearm licence therein set out should only apply to a firearm while it is retained on board ship. I have consulted with the Parliamentary draughtsman on the matter, as a result of which I am satisfied that the wording of the sub-section is perfectly clear.
FIREARMS BILL, 1925—FOURTH AND FIFTH STAGES.
I move:—
In page 5, line 5, Section 8 (1), to delete the word "eighteen" and substitute the word "fifteen."
When the Bill was in Committee, Deputy Gorey suggested that the age limit was a little high. That suggestion has been accepted and the age is now reduced to fifteen.
Amendment put and agreed to.
I move:—
In page 10, lines 14 and 15, Section 18, to delete the words "and officers of the Department of Posts and Telegraphs."
It has been found that the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs will not have the power which it was originally considered he would have in the wording of Section 18. It is therefore proposed to delete these words and to substitute a new section which will give him the power that it was intended he should have.
Amendment put and agreed to.
I beg to move:—
In page 10, before Section 19, to insert a new section as follows:—
"Any officer of the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs may detain and examine and if necessary open for that purpose any postal packet known to him to contain or suspected by him of containing a firearm or prohibited weapon or any ammunition, and if a postal packet so detained contains a firearm or prohibited weapon or any ammunition the officers of the said Minister shall make such inquiries in regard thereto as they think proper, and shall dispose of the packet and the contents thereof (including the firearm, prohibited weapon, or ammunition) in accordance with the instructions of the Minister for Justice, or any Superintendent of the Gárda Síochána, and may detain the said packet and contents pending the making of such inquiries and the receipt of such instructions."
This is a very admirable provision, and I should like to ask the Parliamentary Secretary whether he will consider the insertion of a similar provision in the Fisheries Bill in regard to poached salmon. If he does not do so, I think I shall.
Amendment put and agreed to.
Question—"That the Firearms Bill, 1925, with amendments, be received for final consideration"—put and agreed to.
I move that Standing Order 88 be suspended. I am so moving because there is rather a dearth of business in the Seanad, and I think it would be as well to have these Bills before it.
Question put and agreed to.
I move:—"That the Firearms Bill, 1925, do now pass."
Question put and agreed to.