§ 40. Mr. GINNELLasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland), in view of the statement of the Admiralty that permits for fishing are issued in Ireland on the recommendation of the Department of Agriculture, if he will state the grounds upon which that Department withholds its recommendation in the case of Mr. Maurice O'Connell, Renard Road, Cahirciveen, thus depriving him of his means of living by the lawful industry of fishing with his boat the "St. Fiacra," in which his money and industry are invested; and whether the necessary document will be issued for the season now opening?
§ Mr. DUKEThe Department of Agriculture have not seen the statement referred to. The case of Mr. O'Connell was dealt with in reply to the hon. Member on the 19th instant.
§ Mr. GINNELLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Secretary to the Admiralty informed me in this House that the Admiralty endorse permits only when they are given by the Department of Agriculture, and the question I ask is why the Department of Agriculture refused the permit in this particular case?
§ Mr. DUKEThe hon. Member must have misunderstood what I said. What I told him was that the decision in the matter rests with the Admiralty commander on the Irish coast.
§ Mr. GINNELLHas the Department given this man a recommendation? I am entitled to an answer. The Secretary to the Admiralty said that the Admiralty only endorse permits when they are issued by the Department. Has the Department refused a permit in this case?
§ Mr. DUKEIf a question is put on the Paper I will make inquiries. That is not the question on the Paper.