asked the Minister for Fisheries if he will state in how many cases legal proceedings have been taken in the County Cavan during the year ending 31st March, 1926, against parties fishing for eels without being licensed.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - UNLICENSED EEL FISHING.
I have only received information of one case in which proceedings were instituted in the County Cavan for unlicensed eel fishing. If the practice exists in the county I would be glad if cases were reported to the Gárda Síochána or to the Board of Conservators in whose district the offences are being committed.
I would like to call the Minister's attention to the fact that Conservators are neglecting their work in certain districts. In such cases, if they are reported to him, will he take such action as will compel them to look after the fisheries?
I do not quite follow what the Deputy means. Does he mean the Board of Conservators in this particular district?
No, but in other districts.
I usually take cognisance of any communications sent to me in reference to neglect by Boards of Conservators.
I am referring to cases where the Boards of Conservators are neglecting fishery interests.
As I have said, I take cognisance of any complaints made relative to neglect by Boards of Conservators.
I wrote to the Minister some weeks ago on this subject and I would like to know if he has made any inquiries with a view to prosecution?
I made inquiries on the lines suggested by the Deputy in his letter. He told me he was going to ask a question with regard to prosecutions for illegal fishing. His question to-day has relation to prosecutions for illegal eel fishing. I made inquiries from the two Boards concerned, the Ballyshannon Board and the Drogheda Board. In the case of the Ballyshannon Board there was no prosecution for eel fishing; there was one prosecution in the year mentioned for illegal salmon fishing. In the case of the Drogheda Board there was one prosecution for eel fishing. I have no complaints that the practice exists. If it does exist it should be reported to the Board concerned or to the Gárda Síochána.