§ Mr. CREANasked the Chief Secretary whether he will say how many times in each month during the fishing season the boat used by the Fisheries Department (Ireland) visited the coast off the Old Head of Kinsale, county Cork; is he aware that this coast is frequented by large steam trawlers who sweep the bays between the headlands, doing harm to the fishing industry in this district; and whether he will consider the advisability of increasing the number of boats for policing these waters, as one boat for the whole coast line is inadequate for this purpose?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe "Helga" visited this coast three times in October last, twice in November, February and March, and once in December. She has also been there this month. No steam trawler was observed working inside the prohibited limits, nor have the Department received any complaint on the subject. The funds of the Department will not admit of their providing a second vessel to patrol the coast, but arrangements have been made under which the "Granuaile," belonging to the Congested Districts Board, helps in the work.