asked the Minister for Agriculture if in view of the special circumstances and the total failure of seine drift-net fishing at Rosslare, Carne and along the Wexford coast generally in recent years, he will give favourable consideration to the representations being made by those engaged in the fishing industry along the Wexford coast, and who are solely dependent on it for a living, and to the following proposals (a) a reduction of the licence fee to £3; (b) a reduction of the perimeter of the mesh to six inches; (c) the opening of the fishing season on March 1st and (d) that he will submit to the fishery conservators an intimation of his preparedness to sanction these alternations.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drift-Net Fishing.
Dr. Ryan
The licence fee or duty is fixed by Statute and I have, therefore, no power to alter it.
As to the suggested reduction in size of mesh and change of close season, I am prepared to have the necessary public inquiry held if a considered statement is furnished showing a prima facie case for either or both such changes in the general interest of the fisheries of the district.