asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that the fees for gun licences prevent a great number of tourists desirous of visiting the Free State from doing so; and if, in view of the advantage to this country of the development of tourist traffic, he will consider the advisability of introducing temporary licences to encourage sporting tourists to come to the country.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - FEES FOR GUN LICENCES.
I have no evidence that any appreciable number of tourists have been deterred from visiting the Saorstát because of the amount payable for a firearm certificate. The present system introduced by the Firearms Act, 1925, and the Finance Act, 1925, whereby a full licence for a gun can be obtained for £2 with the right to shoot game was adopted after full consideration and is an improvement on the old system. The Deputy should remember that prior to the Firearms Act, 1925, and the Finance Act, 1925, a full game certificate cost £3 and the minimum amount for a game certificate was £1, these amounts being fixed when money had a much higher purchasing power than at present. The all-round fee of £2 in the light of this is obviously not of a character to deter tourists who desire to come to the Saorstát in the game season.