Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

I am asking whether the relationship between the hunting fraternity and the Garda in regard to endorsement of firearms licences to allow them hunt has died down, and that there is no particular controversy surrounding this issue.

Of course people in the hunting fraternity welcome this measure. Why would they not welcome it? Otherwise, their activity would be illegal. They would not be able to pursue it unless this was to be done. The Minister spoke about comprehensive legislation but this issue has been going on for a number of years. This was a sticking plaster measure in 2010. It is still that. I am not being negative but surely this issue should be resolved once and for all.

The Minister made the point that this is the result of a new computerised system but it seems extraordinary, in this technological age, that at that time provision was not made for this and that the endorsement had to be written on the licence to allow hunters to hunt legally. I presume that scenario has not changed because the Minister is now extending that legislation to allow for an additional number of years. I am curious to know at what point this will end and that a future Administration will not have to bring in emergency legislation to extend it yet again. I welcome the Bill.