§ 80. Mr. NOLANasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware of the loss caused to the inshore fishermen on the sea coast of county Louth by the depredations of ring-net motor fishing boats; whether it has been pointed out to him 542 that the hardship caused to the local fishing population by this interference with their means of living is all the greater from the fact that almost the whole of the able-bodied men from that quarter are away serving in the Navy; and what steps he proposes to take to protect the interest?, of the elderly men and boys engaged in the line-fishing industry of the coast in question?
Mr. SAMUELThe Department have so far failed to obtain any detailed statement in support of allegations made as to injury by ring nets to line fishing and other fishing on the coast of county Louth. They are willing to hold public inquiries into the matter, but do not consider the present time propitious in the absence on naval or military service of a large proportion of the persons interested in the general fisheries of the district.