§ MR. BOLAND (Kerry, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that representations have been made by those engaged in the lake-fishing industry at Waterville, County Kerry, against the system lately practised of putting down the weir during the close season for the purpose of capturing spawning fish for the hatchery; and whether, in view of the opinion held locally that fish thus handled will not take a fly or bait in the following season, he will have inquiries made with a view to allowing a free passage for spring salmon in the Waterville River and safeguarding the interests of at least 100 persons whose means of livelihood is being seriously jeopardised.
§ MR. BIRRELLThe Answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. I am assured that there is no foundation for the belief that the handling of salmon at a weir interferes with their subsequent susceptibility to capture by angling. The weir is fished under proper supervision, and all clean fish are passed over the weir without injury. It would be impossible to stock the hatchery without fishing the weir.