MR. T. M. HEALYI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether trawling is legal in Dundalk Bay; whether several trawlers nightly fish the bay, destroying the nets 716 and lines of legitimate fishermen; whether the coastguards at Dunsany Point are frequent witnesses of the proceedings of the trawlers, but being only three in number arc unable to interfere; and if the Government will take any steps to prevent a recurrence of such proceedings?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThe use of the trawl nets is illegal in Dundalk Bay. It is true that trawlers have occasionally been observed by the coastguard at work in the bay; but I am not aware that any complaints have been made this year by fishermen of the destruction of their nets or lines. The question of the protection of the fisheries in this and other waters against the encroachment of trawlers is receiving the consideration of the Government.