§ SIR T. ESMONDEI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that fishing with an otter has been declared illegal on Lough Derg, County Tipperary; and if he is also aware that licences have been already taken out this season for otter fishing on that lake; and, if so, whether those who have paid for those licences will be allowed to make use of them?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR, Manchester, E.)The Inspectors of Irish Fisheries report that the use of the otter is illegal everywhere in Ireland under statute. Licences have not been issued for otter fishing on Lough Derg, County Tipperary. They have been issued for cross- 793 lines, but this would not authorise the use of the otter, which, as above stated, is expressly prohibited by statute.