§ SIR T. ESMONDEI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that persons have been earningt heir livelihood for the past 25 years upon Lough Derg, County Tipperary, by " otter " fishing, without the authorities taking any steps to prevent them; that no other kind of cross fishing is possible on Lough Derg; and that no notice was given this year prior to the issue of licences of any change of the old custom; and whether, 1488 under the circumstances, the authorities will allow the continuance of "otter" fishing, or else refund the money paid by the fishermen for the licences?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe Inspectors of Irish Fisheries are not aware that any persons have been earning their livelihood by " otter " fishing on Lough Derg; but they state that it is the case that the practice of taking out licences for crosslines and using the " otter " has existed for upwards of 20 years. It is, however, not the case that no other kind of cross fishing is possible.