§ MR. CARSON (Dublin University)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the attention of the Irish Government has been called to the fact that the eel weirs situated at Castleconnell are not provided with any "Queen's Gaps," as required by Act of Parliament; and that in consequence thereof the weirs in question do not admit of the free descent of salmon fry and spent salmon to the sea, to the great injury of the salmon fisheries; whether the Irish Government have received any Report upon the subject from the Inspectors of Fisheries; and whether the Government intend to take any steps to compel compliance with the Act of Parliament, if infringed?
MR. J. MORLEYI am informed that the Shannon eel fisheries are held under lease, and that the lessee is required to work the weirs legally. The weirs are constructed of poles with nets stretched between them, and the Inspectors of Fisheries state it has not been decided by a competent legal tribunal whether the statutory provisions relating to "Queen's Gaps" applied to weirs of this description. I shall cause inquiry to be made as to whether there has been any infringement of the law in this respect, and, if so, what steps can be taken to remedy the defect. In view of possible litigation, I think the hon. and learned Gentleman will agree with me that at present it is 1024 not desirable to say anything further on the subject.