The Earl of Glengall,on presenting a petition from certain deep-sea fishermen of Waterford, said, in consequence of the decline of the fisheries, from want of due encouragement, the number of fishermen had decreased between 1830 and 1836 from 64,700 to 54,000. In this interval the loan system bad been abandoned, and the public money formerly granted for the encouragement of the fisheries had been reduced to 61l. per annum. On the other hand, 14,000l. were annually expended upon the Scotch fisheries without diminution. He wished the fishery board in Ireland to be reconstructed: there were already 8,000l. in hand applicable to the purpose, and if 10,000l. or 15,000l. additional were devoted to the same purpose, much would be done and profitable employment would be found for many thousand persons. It might be expedient even to recur to the loan system, and to do something to restore and repair the small piers and harbours by which the boats were protected.
§ Lord Monteagleobserved, that the loan system for encouraging the fisheries in Ireland had been continued, until it was found to produce no benefit to the people of that country. The act which regulated the fisheries in Ireland were all but inoperative, in consequence of the difficulty of enforcing its provisions. It entirely depended upon penalties; but means had been devised to evade those penalties. There had, for a long time, existed great doubts among the people of Ireland as to the rights of persons to fish. The act to which he had referred was intended to define those rights; and he thought it would be a wise proceeding on the part of the Government, if they were to send round inspectors to ascertain and to explain to the people what those rights strictly were.
§ The Duke of Wellingtonbegged to say, 1328 that attention in the proper quarter should be given to the subject.
§ Petition laid on the Table.
§ Adjourned.