§ MR. MICHAEL FLAVIN (Kerry, N.)I beg to ask the Attorney General for Ireland if he is aware that although licences to fish on the River Feale and its tributaries were issued in March last to rod anglers by the licence agent in Listowel, the men so licensed have been prosecuted for fishing in the close season at the Listowel Petty Sessions Court on 26th April 1897, and that on the application of the solicitor to the Fishery Conservators the cases were adjourned and again further heard on the 10th May and dismissed; also that fresh summonses were issued for the same offence, and again postponed at the request of the Conservators' solicitor; and whether, owing to the great inconvenience and expense caused to the anglers, steps will be taken to prevent further prosecutions?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. J. ATKINSON,) Londonderry, N.The facts are substantially as stated in the Question. Licences were issued on the 26th of March under which the fishermen erroneously supposed that they were entitled to fish before the termination of the close time on the 30th of April. They were warned by the Water Bailiffs that they were in error in so assuming, but persisted in fishing. Summonses which had been served for this offence were, in all but one case, cither dismissed or had "no appearance" entered on them. Thereupon the Conservators, as they were entitled to do, took out fresh summonses for these offences. The Executive have no power to interfere in the matter.
§ MR. FLAVINI should like to ask the right hon. Gentleman a question on that reply. The prosecutor in this case is the Secretary to the Fishery Board of Limerick. He wrote a letter last— [cries of "Order, order!"]