asked the Minister for Justice if he will state the reasons why Mr. Patrick O'Donnell, Rosharnagh, Newport, County Mayo, has been refused a 5/- gun licence to shoot vermin; further, if he is aware that Mr. O'Donnell, as well as cultivating his own land, looks after 18 acres of tillage lands.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Refusal of Gun Licence.
The Firearms Act, 1925, authorises the grant of a 5/- firearm certificate for the shooting of vermin only to an occupier of land.
I am informed that Mr. O'Donnell is a caretaker and not an occupier of land and accordingly he is not entitled to obtain a 5/- certificate.
Is not this man an occupier of land as well as a caretaker, and therefore is he not entitled to get the certificate at the reduced fee?
Mr. Boland
My information is that he is not. If he can establish the fact that he is an occupier of land, well that is another matter.
What amount of land would entitle him to get this certificate?
Mr. Boland
It is not a question of amount, but as to whether he is or is not an occupier of land, and, therefore, entitled to get this.