§ MR. THOMAS O'DONNELLI bog to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that on 22nd May, 1901, a steam trawler was detected four miles inside the prohibited line in Dingle Bay, name and number being "Goldfinder, G.Y. 526," and that the fisherman who saw this vessel reported the matter to the chief coastguard, asking at the same time that the owner be prosecuted; and, seeing that under existing laws no prosecutions could be entered against such offending vessels except they are boarded by coastguards, whether he will take steps immediately to alter the law so as to enable prosecutions to be made in such cases as that described.
§ MR. WYNDHAMA Bill is now before Parliament which, in the event of its becoming law, will strengthen the hands of the responsible authorities in suppressing illegal steam trawling.
§ MR. THOMAS O'DONNELLHas the gunboat any orders to assist in preventing illegal trawling?
§ MR. WYNDHAMThat does not arise out of the question. But I may say that the authorities have no power under the existing law to make the owners amenable.