§ MR. W. ABRAHAM (Limerick, W.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether ex officio members of the Board of Fishery Conservators must be magistrates, and, in addition, hold land abutting a river or lake in the district, and pay licence duty for the current year; whether certain magistrates attended meetings of the Board of Conservators of the Limerick 505 District on the 5th of August, 1886, 6th of January, 20th of January, and 4th of February, 1887, and took part in the proceedings without possessing the requisite qualifications; whether the Limerick Board met on the 5th of August, 1866, and proceeded to elect one of their number to the position of Inspector of Water Bailiffs, contrary to Act of Parliament; if the Inspectors of Irish Fisheries have remonstrated with the Limerick Board respecting this election, and declared the appointment, in their opinion, illegal; whether the Board still retains this member of their body in the position of Inspector as aforesaid, and have refused to hold a now election; and, whether the Irish Executive will inquire into these allegations; and, if proved to be true, will take the necessary steps to set matters right?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)I am advised that the law is as stated in the first paragraph. With regard to the alleged matters of fact about the election of Inspector of Water Bailiffs, the circumstances are understood to be as stated, though the hon. Member has not given any sufficient opportunity for inquiry on those points not already within the knowledge of the Inspector of Fisheries. The matter does not appear to be in a satisfactory state; and I understand that some questions connected with it are at present before the Law Officers, with the object of ascertaining whether, in the present state of the law, any action can be taken by the Executive.