§ MR. BOLAND (Kerry, S.)To ask the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether his attention has been called to the published statement of the diplomatic representations made by the United States Government on the subject of the breaking of the submarine cables off the coast of Kerry by trawlers; whether he is aware that these trawlers carry on operations within the prohibited limits, and, in addition to the damage done to the cables, have inflicted serious loss on the local fishermen; and whether, with a view to safeguarding the interests of the fishermen and of the cable companies, nine of whose cables are laid in a space of one and-a-half miles in Ballinskelligs Bay, he will endeavour to secure protection from the operations of these trawlers in this district.
(Answered by Mr. T. W. Russell.) The alleged damage to submarine cables by steam trawlers has been brought under the notice of the Department, The protection of cables is not the direct work of the Department, who have, however, taken all steps that are reasonably possible to secure the due observance of their fishery bye-laws.