§ Mr. BOLANDasked the Chief Secretary what steps, if any, have been taken to enforce the Regulations under the Trawling in Prohibited Areas Act in the district of Ballinskelligs Bay, county Kerry; whether, in view of the damage caused to local fishing by the operations of steam trawlers and to the Transatlantic cables, one of which was broken within the last fortnight, he can state when the "Helga" will again visit that district; and can he state how many captures have been effected by the "Helga" off the Kerry and Cork coasts during the past twelve months?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI understand that the Department's cruiser "Helga" patrolled the Cork and Kerry coasts at least once, and often twice or three times, in each of the last twelve months except January. The Coastguard have co-operated in enforcing the law, and instructions on the subject have also been given to the master of the steamship "Granuaile," belonging to the Congested Districts Board. A man is specially paid by the Department to watch Ballinskelligs Bay. Trawling by steam vessels off the coasts mentioned is principally carried on from thirty to fifty1372W miles out. The officers of the "Helga" did not observe any steam trawler infringing the law in that locality during the last twelve months, but one conviction was obtained on the evidence of local fishermen. If the fishermen will furnish the Department with particulars of any cases of illegal trawling the Department will take such steps as may be possible to deal with them. The question of injury to telegraph cables is a matter for the Postmaster-General.