§ 63. Mr. CREANasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland), whether that body has lately issued an Order prohibiting the use of any draught net for the capture of fish in Lough Gara, situate near Boyle, in the counties of Sligo and Roscommon; if so, whether that Order applies to the inhabitants of the district surrounding the lake who have riparian rights and who have been fishing there for thirty-eight years; whether he is aware that these people have petitioned the Lord Lieutenant praying to be protected in their rights; and whether, in view of all the circumstances, the Department will institute an inquiry with the view of seeing justice done to the aggrieved parties?
§ Mr. RUSSELLAs the result of a public inquiry held at Boyle, in April last, the Department have posted notices relative to proposed by-laws prohibiting the use of any draught net or Seine net for the capture of fish in Lough Gara, which by-laws have no force unless and until approved of by His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant in Council and will, if so approved, be operative against all persons. Certain persons have lodged a petition against the confirmation of the by-laws, and will have the opportunity of being represented at the hearing 31 of the appeal by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. Pending the decision of the Committee it would not be proper for the Department to hold another inquiry into the matter, all the facts of which were before them at the inquiry held in April.