§ MR. POWER () Waterford, E.I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland how many gun boats are employed oft' the Irish coasts to enforce the bye-laws made by the Inspectors of Irish Fisheries, with the view of preventing steam trawling oft certain coasts: and whether, considering the complaints made of damage done by steam trawling oft the Irish coasts, the impunity with which the bye-laws made by the Inspectors of Irish Fisheries are ignored by the steam trawlers, and the difficulties of enforcing such bye-laws, even if several gunboats were at the disposal of the Inspectors of Irish Fisheries, the Government will consider the advisability of reverting to the policy embodied in the Bill introduced by the First Lord of the Treasury in 1889, prohibiting all steam trawling within three miles of the Irish coasts (as is the law oft' the Scottish coasts) and allowing the Inspectors of Irish Fisheries to permit steam trawling within the three-miles limit when they think such a course desirable.
§ THE VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOE IRELAND (Mr. PLUNKETT,) Dublin Co., S.There are no gunboats employed for the purpose mentioned. With regard to the suggestion in the second paragraph, prohibitory bye-laws have been made in the case of Irish waters to suit the circumstances of particular localities, and the area around Ireland closed to trawling was never so extensive as at present. This mode of fishing is prohibited, within the prescribed limit, on almost all parts of the coast where such fishing is possible, and it is not clear, therefore, that any benefit could arise from closing the Irish waters generally against trawling.
§ MR. POWERWill the right hon. Gentleman use his influence with the 942 Admiralty to get a couple of gunboats to enforce the rules?
§ MR. PLUNKETTI am afraid I have no influence I can use.
§ CAPTAIN DONELANCannot steps be taken to put a stop to steam trawling on Sunday's?
§ MR. PLUNKETTIf the hon. Member will give notice of that question I will consider it.