To ask the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that very great distress exists in Arran Islands because of the failure of the fishing industry; whether this failure is not largely due to the activity of British and Scottish steam trawlers in encroaching on the fishing grounds; what action the Departmen has taken to prevent illegal trawling in this area; and whether he considers that one patrol steamer is sufficient to protect the fisheries all round the Irish coast; whether it is proposed to increase the measure of protection now available by providing a sufficient number of patrol boats and by increasing the limit within which trawling is prohibited from three to at least six miles.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. - DISTRESS IN ARRAN ISLANDS.
replying for Minister for Agriculture:—I am aware that during the past two years there has been a universal slump in the fishing industry, which has adversely affected the people of Arran in common with other communities of Irish fishermen. I am taking steps to deal with any present encroachment by steam trawlers, and am arranging to supply the Deputy with written particulars of the measures which are being taken. I may say that within the past twelve months there have been three successful prosecutions in this area for contraventions of the trawling regulations. I think the Deputy is confusing the three mile limit, which is an international arrangement, with the limits defined by the Fishery By-laws. As a matter of fact, the by-law limit which applies in this particular case extends, in parts, to more than two miles beyond the said three mile limit.