§ MR O'SHAUGHNESSYasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether Reports have been made of violation by French fishing vessels of the three-mile limit on the coasts of Clare and Kerry and in the estuary of the Shannon; whether any and what steps are to be taken to secure the observance of the Law; and, whether the Irish Government will consult with the Admiralty, with a view of obtaining the presence of a gunboat, as suggested by Reports of the Irish Fisheries Commission, to protect the rights of Irish and British fishermen on the Irish coast?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. W. M. JOHNSON)This Question relates to the action of French fishing vessels on the Irish coast. The Inspectors of Irish Fisheries have drawn the attention of the Government to alleged violations by these French fishing vessels of the provisions of the Fisheries Convention, and the Irish Law Officers will be consulted in the matter.
§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORasked, whether it was not the fact that during two successive years, when the Estimates were discussed, the attention of the Government was called to this very question?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. W. M. JOHNSON)said, he did not know. He understood it turned upon the construction of an Article of the Convention.