§ MR. BIGGARasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If policemen are authorised to use rowing boats in pursuit of fishermen whom they may suspect of poaching; and, by whose authority Constable O'Leary boarded the Cork Harbour Commissioners' Dredge Boat some weeks ago in search of poachers?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANThe police are not authorized to use boats in pursuit of poachers, nor am I aware that they do so. When protecting water bailiffs, they first proceed in the Conservators' steam launch where it 61 is available; but if poachers, in endeavouring to escape, take to shallow water, the water bailiffs, accompanied by the police, follow them in small boats. In the particular case mentioned in the Question, Sergeant O'Leary merely accompanied the Secretary to the Conservators for his protection.