§ MR. CHARLES DEVLINI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that, from time immemorial, the people of Ballinlonghane, Galway, have earned their living by fishing close to the village; that recently bailiffs have forbidden them to cast their nets there any longer, claiming such right solely for the owner of the Galway fishery: and that the nets belonging to Michael Joyce, Martin Joyce, and Thomas Corcoran were seized: and whether he will stop these proceedings, and restore to the people the rights of fishing so long enjoyed.
§ MR. WALTER LONGI am informed that these nets were seized by bailiffs of the Board of Conservators, not upon the ground that the rights of any private fishery were encroached on. but because the nets were unlicensed and set in an illegal manner. I understand that the Conservators are considering the question of a prosecution. The matter is not one for the Executive to deal with. If the rights of the fishermen have been invaded, they have their remedy at law.