COLONEL NOLANI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland how many French and Scotch steam trawlers are now off the coasts of Galway and Mayo?
§ MR. JACKSONI have caused inquiry to be made, and the Inspectors of Irish Fisheries report that there are steam trawlers off the coast of Galway and Mayo at distances ranging from 4 to 16 miles. They have no details as to their nationality.
§ MR. JACKSONI do not give the numbers because, although I have the numbers for one or two places, I have not got them for all places, and, therefore, I cannot give a complete list.
§ MR. JACKSONI should say about 20.
§ MR. W. O'BRIEN (Cork Co., N.E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he has received a communication from the Westport Board of Guardians, calling the attention of the Government and of the Irish Fisheries Board to the destruction of nets and other grievous injury caused to the poor fishermen of Achill and Clew Bay by reason of the operations of foreign steam trawlers from France and elsewhere; whether the Irish Fisheries Board has investigated those complaints; and whether any steps will be taken to protect the native fishermen?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. JACKSON,) Leeds, N.Representations of the nature mentioned in the question have been received. The Inspectors have endeavoured to obtain the name of the vessel alleged to have done the damage, but so far have been unable to do so.
§ MR. W. O'BRIENWill the Inspectors continue their inquiries?
§ MR. JACKSONYes, Sir; but I do not quite see how they are to find out the name of the vessel. No one in the locality appears to know it.
§ MR. W. O'BRIENIf the depredations continue, will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of sending out a gunboat to protect the nets?
§ MR. JACKSONI am unable to answer that question.