asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that farmers and others holding licences for shotguns cannot procure cartridges; and, if so, if he will state whether he proposes to enforce the collection of the licensing fees this year.

I am aware that difficulties have arisen of the kind indicated by the Deputy, but I do not think they are sufficient to warrant any interference with the collection of the duty on firearms.

Is it the intention of the Minister to collect licence fees on these guns or does he intend to take up the guns? I should like the Minister to inform me what will be the position when the licence fees become due next time.

It is my intention to collect the duty on the guns.

If the people will not pay the duty, what is the Minister going to do?

I suppose certain consequences will follow.

Is it not the duty of the Government to find cartridges for farmers to enable them to protect their crop and stocks?

Not at all.

You might as well have a broomstick as a gun without cartridges.

Are cartridges being issued to sportsmen or is it possible to buy cartridges for sporting purposes?

Deputy Jerry Ryan is still on his feet.

I want a definite reply from the Minister. Will the licences for guns be continued or will the guns be collected? It amounts to the same thing. I am not asking an evasive supplementary question at all. The farmer has to pay 5/- for his gun licence to protect his farm, and a person who uses a gun under a game licence has to pay 50/-, but there are no cartridges. The Minister says that he intends to collect the licence fees, but the guns cannot be used and the Minister will not give any help to the farmers to procure cartridges. The Minister for Justice is also concerned in this matter. I want a definite answer as to what these Ministers will do when the licence fees become due in the next two months?

The law will take its course.

I should like to have an answer from the Minister to the question I asked. One sees people all over the country who have plenty of cartridges for sporting purposes. Hundreds of them are fired in a day. After all, a gun is an absolute necessity for a farmer. This is an essential service. Would the Minister ration cartridges and see that they are given only to those who need them for the protection of their crops?

I have no power to do that.

We shall have to take power to ourselves.