§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, whether it has come to the knowledge of the Fisheries Branch of the Department of Technical and Agricultural Instruction that eight trawling boats, whose decks have been seen strewn several inches deep with fish spawn, have been constantly operating on Sundays and week days for the past month across the entrance to Muir Bay, to the loss and injury to the means of livelihood of the local fishermen; has the "Granuaile" yet made the long-promised surprise visit to the neighbourhood of Muir Bay; and what steps, if any, does the Government propose to take, with the view of securing the fishermen from deprivation of their livelihood by the illegal practice of trawling.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe waters in question are closed to trawling inside denned limits, which are locally well known; but the Department has no information that trawling has been carried out within the prohibited area. It is giving the matter close attention, however, and if an infraction of the law is brought to notice it will institute proceedings. It was only on the 25th June that a promise was given that the "Granuaile" would visit the waters. The element of surprise will disappear if the hon. Member presses me to give indications of the visit's probable date.