§ MR. FLYNN (Cork, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Inspectors of Irish Fisheries propose to enact a bye-law prohibiting the use of cross lines in Lough Corrib and its tributaries; is he aware that a petition 670 against the bye-law has been presented by 42 fishermen, who state that for the past 50 years fishing with cross lines has been carried on; and whether, in view of the face, that the district is a very poor one, and a large number of these men are solely dependent upon the fishing for the maintenance of themselves and their families, he will interfere to prevent the confirmation of the bye-law?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThe fact is as stated in the first paragraph. The petition of the fishermen aganst the confirmation of the proposed bye-law was heard before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council at its meeting held on the 4th instant, when the fishermen were represented by counsel. The decision of the Judicial Committee will come before the Privy Council at an early date, but I have no power to interfere in the matter as suggested at the conclusion of the Question.