§ 21. Mr. GINNELLasked whether Mr. Maurice O'Connell, of Caherciveen, has been accustomed, while allowed to fish, to pay regularly instalments of the loan advanced to him for the purchase of his boat; whether he is aware that Mr. O'Connell has not yet been paid the amount of his claim for having been prevented, for State reasons, from fishing during the last autumn and spring fishing seasons; whether he is still prevented from fishing; why he is now called upon to pay, not the agreed instalment of the loan, but the entire balance; and, if the purpose be not to destroy his business and force him to sell his boat, whether the amount of his claim will be paid before any instalment is required from him?
§ Sir G. CAVEI am informed that the repayment of the instalments was satisfactory as long as Mr. O'Connell was able to fish, but I have no information as to his counterclaim for compensation for having been prevented from fishing. He has not been asked to pay the entire balance of his loan, but only the amount of three half-yearly instalments already due. During the spring Mr. O'Connell has been fishing in a yawl, which does not require a permit, and he and three others share the catch.
§ Mr. GINNELLThe right hon. Gentleman has not answered the question as to whether Mr. O'Connell's claim has been paid or not?
§ Sir G. CAVEI have answered that I have no information as to any such claim.