§ MR. J. MACVEAGH (Down, S.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the attention of the Department of Agriculture for Ireland has been called to the injury caused to the fishing industry in Dun-drum Bay, County Down, by illegal trawling; whether he is aware that the matter was brought under the notice of the Council of the Department at the last meeting; and what steps are being taken to deal with the subject.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Department are aware that illegal trawling has been in progress by local boats in Dundrum Bay. Since March last the Department have instituted legal proceedings for this offence in ten cases. Three more are pending. The Department will spare no effort to capture offenders, and hope that the local magistrates will inflict such penalties as may prove effectual in stopping illegal trawling. I understand that the matter was discussed at the meeting of the Council of Agriculture on the 24th ultimo, when, after the Department's explanation, the resolution of Colonel Sharman-Crawford' dealing with the matter was not pressed.