§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland—(1) whether his attention has been called to a published Report of an inquiry held by the Inspectors of Fisheries at Banogher, on Saturday the 18th instant, on the subject of eel fishing in the River Shannon and its tributaries, at which Mr. Cecil Roche, an Inspector of Fisheries, is reported to have stated, in reference to the use of lines for the capture of eels, that it is clear that they are illegal; and Mr. Hornsby, another inspector, is reported to have stated that these lines are manifestly illegal, and that the magistrates had the remedy in their own hands; (2) if he will explain under what law lines for the capture of eels are illegal; (3) is he aware that if the law as laid down by the inspectors be correct, it will have a very serious effect on poor fishermen who now follow this mode of fishing for eels in the north of Ireland; and (4) whether he will take steps to prevent the Inspectors of Fisheries from laying down the law on subjects on which there has been no legal decision by any Court of Law?
MR. JOHN MORLEYI am informed that the facts are as stated in the first paragraph. The law is clearly laid down in section 31 of the 5th and 6th Vic. chap. 106, and in the 11th and 12th Vic. chap. 92. The capture of fish by the means referred to is most injurious 370 to all legitimate fishermen, as fish are taken in large quantities whether in condition or not.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLIs it expedient or right for Fishery Commissioners to give legal decisions on questions that do not come before them?
MR. J. MORLEYI should think that prima facie it would not be expedient, but I am not aware that these Commissioners do give decisions of the kind.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLDid they not do it in this very case?
§ [No answer was given.]