asked the Minister for Justice whether he is aware that a large number of prosecutions have been taken against owners of dogs in County Limerick for not having them licensed before the 31st December, 1926; that notices were not served on the owners of dogs of the change of term from the financial year to the calendar year; that it was the custom formerly to have posters put up in public buildings and other prominent places for at least a month before the expiration of the financial year; and whether he will instruct the superintendents of the Gárda Síochána not to press the charges against those who take out licences before the 31st March, 1927.

I have ascertained that 50 prosecutions have been instituted against the owners of unlicensed dogs in County Limerick since the 1st January last. I am aware that many owners of dogs were ignorant of the fact that dog licences expired on the 31st December and not on the 31st March as formerly and I have accordingly issued instructions to the Gárda not to institute proceedings in any case where the failure to pay the duty was not due to a desire to evade or challenge the law and where the licence is taken out within one week after a warning.