asked the Minister for Justice if he can state when the Bill dealing with the preservation of game will be introduced.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - PRESERVATION OF GAME.
Conferences have been held with persons and associations interested in the question of game preservation, and the heads of a Bill have been prepared. Owing to the demands upon the Parliamentary draftsman, I could not fix an exact date for the introduction of the Bill. I hope to introduce it within the next two months so that it will come into force before the end of the present close season.
This is a Bill which, perhaps, might appropriately be introduced in the Seanad.
Amongst the persons with whom the Minister discussed the question of game preservation, was there any representative of the farmers or of farmers' organisations?
I discussed the matter with many farmers.
That is not an answer to my question. I asked if the Minister discussed the matter with a representative of the Farmers' Organisation.
Did the Minister discuss the heads of the Bill with representatives of the Irish Coursing Club?
I think that I am entitled to an answer. The Minister stated he discussed the matter with many farmers. He did not say if he discussed it with representatives of the Farmers' Organisation.
The Deputy has not given the Minister a second chance.
Several questions have been asked. There was a deputation received from the Irish Coursing Club, which is largely composed of farmers. I do not know whether it could be called a farmers' organisation.
Twin sisters.
In connection with this Bill I am prepared to give consideration to any memorandum that may be sent in. There seems to be no special reason for receiving a deputation from farmers' associations in connection with it. It is sometimes necessary to make the sending in of a memorandum a condition precedent to any consideration of the question of a deputation. If a memorandum is submitted, and if I form the view from it that a deputation would be of use, then no doubt, I would say so.
Perhaps I will be allowed to make a slight explanation. This matter of game preservation cannot adequately be carried out without the co-operation of the farmers. Conferences have been held, but the information the Minister has obtained has been obtained from sources which are not representative of the farmers.
The chief trouble in this country is to know who are the farmers.
Are there any in the Farmers' Organisation?
Will the Minister indicate if there is any special connection between the Seanad and the preservation of game? Why would the Bill be more appropriately introduced there?
That is a separate question.