§ Colonel Sir J. CRAIGasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether the Fishery Board has taken the necessary steps to ascertain the extent of the financial loss to the fishermen of county Down caused by the sinking of several fishing boats by a German submarine; and whether adequate compensation will be paid?
§ Sir T. W. RUSSELLThe answer to the first portion of the question is in the affirmative. The Department of Agriculture have no funds out of which compensation can be paid to owners of fishing vessels and gear destroyed by enemy action, but fishing vessels and gear can be ensured against war risks with the Irish Fishing Vessels War Risks Insurance Committee.