asked the Minister for Justice whether he is aware of the concern of Donegal Game Council regarding recent regulations made by him relating to the issue of firearms certificates to persons coming in from the Six Counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Issue of Firearms Certificates.
65.
I have received no communication from the Donegal Game Council. The arrangements made recently apply to all nonresidents, and are not confined to persons coming from the Six Counties.
Any concern about the new arrangements must, I feel, be based on a misunderstanding. The purpose of the new arrangements is to avoid inconvenience and delay in the case of visitors who fail to apply in time to my Department for firearm certificates. These certificates are normally applied for in advance to my Department, and are issued by post without restriction for shotguns and sporting rifles, subject to payment of the prescribed fee. Under the new arrangements, officers of the Revenue Commissioners keep a small supply of firearm certificates at the various entry points, and issue them, so to speak "on the spot", to visitors who had left their applications too late to enable them to be issued direct by my Department. The new arrangements provide a reasonable facility for visitors by enabling late applications to be dealt with in a businesslike manner.
Do I take it that the Minister did not get the telegram which the Taoiseach received from the Donegal Game Council? Further, would the Minister state for what purpose .22 rifles are being imported, irrespective of where they come from or how they were acquired by the importers? Would the Minister also say why game licences are now being issued by preventive officers at the border without any inquiry as to whether the recipients of these licences have the right to shoot on any game preserves in this country?
We are trying to facilitate visitors.
For what purpose?
To remove any restrictions——
To bring in .22 rifles indiscriminately and to come to shoot our game.
They are coming anyway and this is merely to facilitate the issuing of licences which would be granted with a lot of red tape. We decided to obviate the red tape and to issue the certificates. It is intended to help the tourist trade.
Would the Minister state for what purposes these licences are being used? Will he ensure from his colleague in the Department of Lands that these people have the right to shoot game or are they coming in merely to become poachers?
I am completely satisfied that they have every right to shoot. The whole purpose of this arrangement is to make certain that visitors are not hindered by red tape measures in regard to the simple issue of firearms certificates.
Will the Minister indicate how he becomes satisfied that these people have the right to shoot game?
I am satisfied.
On what evidence.
Surely the Minister should appreciate that game has been provided by voluntary efforts and——
Has the Deputy a question to put?
Yes, I have a question. I am asking the Minister to appreciate that game has been provided by voluntary associations for which he should claim no credit nor——
That is not a question. The Deputy is making a statement.
I am asking——
The Deputy has asked nothing.
I am asking the Minister whether he is aware of this and if he will take steps in the matter.
(Cavan): Apart from the game aspect, does the Minister consider it desirable to issue firearms indiscriminately at a frontier post without making some check on the characters of the people importing these guns or the reasons they might use them?
We regard ourselves as an efficient Government and this is one way in which we can remove a hindrance. This is a help to the tourist trade and it should be welcomed instead of being criticised.
(Cavan): I am entirely with the Minister as far as bona fide tourists are concerned but there should be some character test to check the bona fides of people.
That is all right; that is done.
Question No. 66
(Interruptions.)
It is typical of the attitude of Fianna Fáil.