asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that permits for the sale of arms and ammunition have in many cases been granted to only one trader in large towns in the Saorstát, that this has the effect of giving to the trader who has received the permit a monopoly in the sale of these articles, and that it is alleged permits are often granted for political reasons; if he will state what is the policy with regard to the granting of permits, and if permits will be granted to any reputable trader who applies.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - SALE OF ARMS.
I am not aware that there are large towns in the Saorstát in which but one dealer in firearms and ammunition has been registered. If the Deputy will give particulars I shall have further inquiries made. I have never heard of any allegations that dealers in firearms were registered for political reasons. Section 9, subsection 3, of the Firearms Act, 1925, prescribes the policy to be adopted in registering a dealer, and this policy is being followed.
Representations were made to the Minister from supporters of the Government on those Benches on behalf of certain traders who had been engaged in the business for a period of 30 years, and notwithstanding that, the Minister did not see his way to grant licences to those people.
Will the Minister state, if I furnish him with facts concerning comparatively large towns where only one licence has been issued, and where there are perfectly respectable firms who have been refused licences as dealers in firearms and ammunition, that he will see that licences are granted to these people?
The position is that under Section 9, sub-section 3, of the Firearms Act, 1925, a person applying for registration as a firearms dealer must satisfy the Minister for Justice that he is about immediately to carry on the business of firearms dealer in Saorstát Eireann in suitable premises, and that in considering the application consideration must be given to the character of the applicant, to the number of firearms dealers in the neighbourhood in which the applicant proposes to carry on business, to the general public safety, and the preservation of the peace. In the Deputy's constituency the numbers of registered firearms dealers are 19:—Clonmel 3; Tipperary 3; Thurles 3; Templemore 2; Carrick-on-Suir 2; Nenagh 2; Roscrea 1; Fethard 1; Cashel 1; and Borrisokane 1. At the moment, in the absence of further information, I consider that number ample.
I could furnish the Minister with particulars of one town where only one firearms licence has been issued. He has given us particulars about towns such as Cashel and Fethard, and I ask him if these are not large towns, and that he would be warranted in issuing more than one licence in such cases?
I would be afraid to answer.