§ Mr. CREANasked whether, through the assistance of the Congested Districts Board (Ireland), the fishing industry on the South-West and West Coasts of Ireland has been in a prosperous condition for many years past; whether the fishing industry of Kinsale, once the greatest fishing centre in Ireland, has been on a steady decline owing to the lack of such assistance, being outside the congested area; and whether, now that the Board of Agriculture has at its disposal, for the improvement of fisheries outside the congested districts, the sum of £50,000, immediate help will be given to Kinsale to resuscitate this, the staple industry of the town?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Department of Agriculture are aware that much of the fishing activity, once centred at Kinsale, has been transferred to more western ports, and that in recent years, owing chiefly to the development of steam fishing, a further diminution of the fleets visiting Kinsale has taken place. The 197 condition of the fishing industry at Kinsale is receiving the careful consideration of the Department.