asked the Minister for Tourism, Fisheries and Forestry if he will consider increasing the licence fee for firearm certificates by the sum of £5 and utilising the increased revenue to financially aid Dublin Zoo, Fota Island and the conservation of wildlife through a policy of habitat purchase by regional game councils.
Written Answers. - Fees for Firearms Certificates.
32.
Fees for firearms certificates are payable pursuant to the Firearms Act, 1925, and their scale is determined in the Finance Acts which give effect to budget proposals. All revenue from such fees is paid into the Central Fund from which the expenses of my Department relating inter alia to wildlife conservation are voted by the Oireachtas.
I regret that the funds available to my Department for wildlife conservation purposes are not such as would enable me to provide financial assistance for the purposes mentioned by the Deputy.