§ MR. BOLAND (Kerry, S.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state the average and the maximum speed obtainable by the steamers "Helga" and "Granuaile," in carrying out their duties 774 of patrolling the West Coast of Ireland; and can he say what are the extreme geographical limits to which their duties extend in this respect.
(Answered by Mr. Bryce.) In the interests of fishing protection, it is not considered desirable to publish the average and maximum speeds of these steamers, but I am informed that neither has ever failed, for lack of speed, to capture a steam trawler found fishing illegally. Speaking generally, the duties of these steamers are limited to territorial waters around the whole coast of Ireland, but the steamers also enforce the provisions of a few of the Department's bye-laws which affect extra territorial areas.