§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNOR(for Mr. MAC NEILL) (Donegal, S.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether any formal order as to the result of their investigation has been promulgated by the Fishery Commissioners who held inquiries last year in the towns of Donegal and Killybegs, on the question of permitting trawling in Donegal Bay; and, whether he is aware that in consequence of the absence of any authoritative pronouncement on the subject the peace is likely to be endangered, in consequence of disputes between the ordinary fishermen and the trawlers?
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER SECRETARY (Colonel KING-HARMAN) (Kent, Isle of Thanet)(who replied) said: No such order has been issued, as the case of Donegal Bay can only be dealt with in connection with the general question of trawling on the Coast of Ireland, which will be considered when the necessary inquiries have been completed. The Government are not aware that the peace is likely to be endangered.
§ In reply to Mr. CHANCE (Kilkenny, S.),
§ COLONEL KING-HARMANsaid, he was informed that the Fishery Commissioners had not the facilities afforded by the presence of a steamer.
§ MR. T. M. HEALY (Longford, N.)asked if the right hon. and gallant Gentleman had any information to the effect that, owing to the hostile action of the fishermen against the trawlers, the revenue cutter had been invited to protect the trawlers?
§ COLONEL KING-HARMANsaid, he had no information as to that. The only information he had received was that some of the linesmen would oppose 888 by every Constitutional means the course of action of one of the trawling vessels.
§ MR. MAURICE HEALY (Cork)asked why the Fishery Commissioners had not issued an order announcing their decision on the subject of the inquiry held by them?
§ COLONEL KING-HARMANsaid, he had already stated that they did not intend to issue a special order with regard to Donegal Bay until they issued an order with regard to all the bays on the West of Ireland.