Captain CRAIGasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether his attention had been drawn to recent instances of illegal trawling in Dundrum Bay, county Down; whether he was aware that the inhabitants of many of the villages of that part subsist mainly by line-fishing, and that this constant illegal trawling was ruining their means of livelihood; and could he state if the police, coastguards, and Irish Lights Commissioners co-operate with the Department of Agriculture for its suppression?
§ Mr. T. W. RUSSELLThe Department have recently received a report of alleged illegal, trawling in Dundrum Bay, and are taking steps to have the locality more closely watched; but without increased funds the Department find it impossible to give that concentrated attention which seems necessary in this neighbourhood without depriving other localities of their due share of protection.
Captain CRAIGWith regard to the latter part of the question, can the right hon. Gentleman state whether the police, coast-guards, and the Irish Lights Commissioners co-operate with the Department for the suppression of illegal trawling?
§ Mr. T. W. RUSSELLOn that point it is very difficult to do so. Illegal trawling occurs at night, without lights, and the constabulary and coast-guard are powerless in the matter.
Captain CRAIGIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are a great many complaints made of illegal trawling in broad daylight?
§ Mr. T. W. RUSSELLYes, and there have been convictions. But in a great many cases the evidence of local fishermen has completely broken down. It is a very difficult matter. We will do our best to meet the difficulty.
§ Mr. KILBRIDEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that these trawlers sail under the Norwegian flag, and, that, as a matter of fact, they are not only owned largely by Englishmen, but by some Members of this House?
§ Mr. T. W. RUSSELLNo, Sir. The hon. Gentleman is quite wrong. These trawlers are owned by local fishermen. That is a peculiarity of the case.