MR. O'CONNOR POWERasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, If he will explain to the House upon what principle the Fishery Commissioners in Ireland have acted in defining the mouths of rivers, with respect to the right of putting out nets for the purpose of catching salmon; and whether the principle is the same in all the salmon fisheries in Ireland?
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHSir, by the 32 & 33 Vict. c. 92 the Inspectors of Irish Fisheries are empowered, subject to the approval of the Lord Lieutenant and the Privy Council, to define or re-define the boundaries of the mouths of rivers, if after local inquiry they are satisfied of the expediency or necessity of such action. The principles on which they have acted in carrying out this power have had regard in all cases to the physical circumstances of the locality, without respect to the right of putting out nets for the capture of salmon.