§ MR. T. M. HEALY (Longford, N.)I beg to ask the Attorney General for Ireland whether his attention has been drawn to the report in some of the provincial papers in Ireland that, at a meeting lately held in New Ross, in the County of Wexford, by the Inspectors of Irish Fisheries, the Head Water Bailiff of the Conservators of Fisheries in the Waterford District stated on oath that there was an utter disregard of the law in part of the district; that fishing for salmon by nets was openly carried on on Sundays and other close times with impunity; that he could not, with the means at his command, cope with it; and that the administration of the affairs of the district by the Board of Conservators was altogether "a humbug;" and, if so, will he take any steps, by legislation or otherwise, to strengthen the hands of the Inspectors of Fisheries in such cases?
§ MR. MADDENThe Inspectors of Irish Fisheries report that the statement attributed to the Head Water Bailiff of the Tidal Division of the Waterford District, as to the disregard of the Salmon Fishery Laws in part of the district, is substantially correct. It would, however, be rather premature to consider what ultimate steps should be taken inasmuch as the inquiry is still proceeding, a further meeting of the Inspectors being fixed for this day at Waterford.