asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will take effective steps to stop the poaching of the lobster fishing grounds off the South Wexford coast by French boats which every day are setting big numbers of lobster-pots within the three-miles limit; and if he is aware that on St. Patrick's Day no less than five French lobster poachers were at work off Kilmore with consequent loss to the fishermen of Rosslare Harbour, St. Helens, Carne, Kilmore, Slade, Fethard-on-Sea, or the other small fishing harbours in South Wexford; whether any reports have been received about the fish poaching by French boats from the Gárda Síochána and what action he has taken or it is proposed to take to deal with this direct threat to the livelihood of many families along the South Wexford seaboard.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wexford Coast Poaching
Dr. Ryan
Within the past week reports have reached us from the Gárda Síochána and other sources as to the activities off the South Wexford coast of foreign fishing craft believed to be French lobster boats, and I can assure the Deputy that these reports have had prompt attention. I do not consider it desirable to state publicly the measures which are being taken to deal with this matter but, if the Deputy so wishes, I can have him furnished with a note on the subject.
Did the Minister not hear anything about it until last week? This has been going on for months. It is all very well for Deputies opposite to laugh, but this is a very serious matter for the poor fishermen. It is very serious to permit the lobster fishers to be robbed in this way.
Is it the Minister's intention to take any more effective measures on the coast of his native county than he has taken on the coast of Donegal? If it is not his intention to do so, the sooner he quits Wexford the better. In Donegal the fishermen are being plundered every day, and nothing has been done.
Dr. Ryan
That is not true.