§ MR. GWYNN (Galway)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the owner of the Corrib salmon fishery at Galway has for some time past been discharging loads of stone into the river at points chosen so as to concentrate the current in a few deep passes and thereby facilitate netting operations; and that the consequent quickening of the current prevents fishing boats from reaching the landing quay at low tide, and thereby injures their access to market; and, if so, whether the Irish Government will take steps to prevent further interference with the natural course of the river and to remove the obstructions which have been created.
MR. BRYCEThe Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction have been informed by the Clerk of the Galway Board of Conservators that he is not aware of any action taken by the owners of the Corrib salmon fishery or by any other person which is calculated to alter the current of the river, or in any way to hinder fishing boats from reaching the landing quay at low tide or otherwise. The clerk states that he has interviewed several of the leading fishermen on the subject, none of whom are aware of any change of current which would affect landing. I may add that in cases in which there is any obstruction to navigation, the matter is not one for the Irish Government to deal with, but falls, I believe, within the province of my right hon. friend the President of the Board of Trade.