asked the Minister for Supplies if, in view of the opening of the coursing season, he will consider granting permission to hackney-men to convey dogs, dog-owners and bookmakers to coursing meetings during the season.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Motor Cars for Coursing Meetings.
The prohibition on the use of hackney vehicles for the conveyance of passengers in connection with sports fixtures applies generally to all forms of sport. I am not prepared to grant exceptional treatment to passengers attending coursing meetings.
Do the Government deny that this industry is being handicapped during the open coursing season? Do the Government deny that dog-owners are bringing sales to the City of Dublin worth many thousands of pounds? The position is that these people are not allowed to come in a motor car, while motor cars can be brought freely to dances all over the country — functions that are not half as important as coursing meetings. I think it is up to the Minister to allow hackney men, now that they have a double supply of petrol, to use their cars to bring these people to coursing meetings.