§ MR. O'DOHERTY (Donegal, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that loans are issued by the Congested Districts Board to fishermen in congested districts for the purchase of herring nets and for fishing gear; that in June and July the only fishing available along the north coast of Donegal is 1369 for salmon; and that application has been made to the Board by fishermen in congested districts for loans for salmon nets, as at present the fishermen are handicapped by the terms upon which they only can procure nets locally; and whether the Board have determined that the loans for the purchase of salmon nets would be contrary to their policy; and, if so, whether the Government will direct the Agricultural and Industries Department to consider this matter and issue loans in congested districts to fishermen and others requiring them for salmon nets on terms similar to those upon which herring nets are supplied by the Congested Districts Board.
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. WYNDHAM,) DoverThe reply to the first query is in the affirmative. Both the Congested Districts Board and the Department of Agriculture have decided to adhere, for the present, to the policy hitherto adopted by the Fishery Authorities in refusing to make loans for the purchase of salmon nets.
§ MR. O'DOHERTYCannot the Agricultural Department grant loans for salmon nets for fishermen on the same terms as the Congested Districts Board lends money for the purchase of herring nets?
§ MR. WYNDHAMNo, Sir; and for the reason that salmon nets can be obtained on very favourable terms from the merchants.