§ 37. Mr. FLAVINasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture 2155 (Ireland) whether he is aware that complaints have been made by the fishermen of the Cashenmouth, which is the outlet of the River Feale into the sea, as to the conditions imposed on them by the local fishing regulations; and whether he can say if the Department will grant a local inquiry into the merits of the case?
§ Mr. DUKEThe Department of Agriculture have received memorials asking that the close seasons for the Feale and Cashen River system should be changed. The existing close seasons were enacted as recently as 1910, since when the local fisheries are reported to have improved. The holding of an inquiry is at present not regarded as necessary.
§ Mr. FLAVINIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that what he says is not a fact?
§ Mr. FLAVINThe right hon. Gentleman cannot speak from personal experience—I can. The condition has not improved. These local people want an inquiry, and will the right hon. Gentleman say under what conditions the inquiry can be held?
§ Mr. DUKEI am sure the hon. Member will bear me out when I say it was he who asked me for information, and not I who asked him.
§ Mr. FLAVINMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman on what authority he states that since the last inquiry was held the condition of things has improved? That is the right hon. Gentleman's statement—not mine.
§ Mr. DUKEThe authority is that of the Government Department whose business it is to know. If the hon. Member gives me any reason for supposing that I have been given any inaccurate information, I will deal with that matter.
§ Mr. FLAVINWill the right hon. Gentleman allow me to say that for the last fifteen years the fishing there has never been worse than last year?