§ *MR. WILLIAM JOHNSTONI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether recently any complaints have been made on the part of the fishermen of Ardglass, county Down, as to the falling off of the herring fishery there; whether this is traceable to the presence of steam trawlers fishing within the three-mile limit; and whether the inspectors of Irish fisheries have power to take steps further to extend the limit; and if so, will they take action concerning the matter.
§ THE VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR IRELAND (Mr. PLUNKETT,) Dublin County, S.Representations have been made to the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction to the effect stated in the first and second paragraphs of the question. The Department, however, have been informed by the local coastguards that they have not observed any steam trawling within the prohibited limits. I do not think the Department has power to make a bye-law prohibiting trawling outside the territorial limits, but I may observe that the question of the best means of protecting the Irish fisheries from the depredations of the trawlers is at present engaging the most careful consideration of the Department.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDWill the Department of the right hon. Gentleman try and induce the Government to send a cruiser to protect these fisheries from the steam trawlers?
§ MR. PLUNKETTI believe the Government have decided that they cannot undertake that work.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDThen what is the good of the Navy to us?
§ MR. FLAVINIs there any general law, or bye-law, preventing trawlers coming within the three-mile limit?
§ *MR. SPEAKERNotice had better be given of that question.