§ Mr. BOLANDasked the Chief Secretary whether the attention of the Congested Districts Board and of the Department of Agriculture has been called to the operating of steam trawlers within prohibited areas between Valentia Island and Scariff Island and within a short distance of Bolus Head; whether he is aware that the steamer "Helga" has not visited the district for months past; and can he say when he proposes to put into force the Prohibited Areas Trawling Act?
§ Mr. BIRRELLComplaints have been made to the Department of illegal trawling in the districts referred to. The hon. Member appears to be misinformed as to the visits of the "Helga." I understand that she was at or near Valentia for several days in November and December last and again in the present month, and that the Congested Districts Board's steamer, the "Granuaile," whose master is empowered to enforce the Department's by-laws, has recently been there for a week. These vessels devote as much attention to the Kerry Coast as is possible having regard to their duties elsewhere. The provisions of the Act of last Session are already in force and have been applied by the Department in two cases.