Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 17 Feb 1937

Vol. 65 No. 3

Whale Fisheries Bill, 1936—Motion for Money Resolution. - In Committee on Finance.

Minister for Agriculture (Dr. Ryan)

I move:—

That it is expedient to authorise the payment out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas of any expenses incurred in carrying into effect any Act of the present session to enable effect to be given, so far as Saorstát Eireann is concerned, to an International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling, signed at Geneva on the 24th day of September, 1931, to prohibit the taking or treating of whales within the exclusive fishery limits of Saorstát Eireann, and to make provisions for divers matters connected with the matters aforesaid.

Mr. Dillon

On the Money Resolution of this Bill, Sir, will it be in order for the Minister to state briefly what the attitude of the Government is on the waters of Lough Foyle. This Bill makes provision in many of its sections for the provision of protection and enforcement of certain regulations in certain waters which are territorial waters, and also makes provision for the giving of protection and enforcement of certain regulations in extra-territorial waters. I think, however, we are entitled to ask the Minister, if we want money from Dáil Eireann wherewith to enforce regulations in territorial waters what, in the judgment of the Executive Council, are the territorial waters of Saorstát Eireann, and very grave obscurity seems to exist in connection with Lough Foyle.

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy has asked whether it would be in order to discuss now the matter of jurisdiction over the waters of Lough Foyle. Certain amendments were submitted by Deputy McMenamin with a view to initiating a discussion on that matter. The amendments in question are Nos. 1, 2, 5 and 6. This is a measure of very limited scope, the purpose of which is to implement certain international conventions or agreements. The definition of territorial waters does indeed come in, but only incidentally and for the limited purposes of this measure. Those limits also are internationally agreed.

The question to which the Deputy refers would have been in order on the Sea Fisheries Protection Act of 1933. It is obvious that on this Bill which deals only with a specific convention, it would not be in order to amend the definition of territorial waters. Hence a discussion on the Lough Foyle problem may not, at this or any other stage of the Bill, be initiated.

Mr. Dillon

Well, Sir, lest I should be tempted into irrelevance, I propose to say no more on the subject of the Money Resolution. I notice that Deputy O'Grady seems to be greatly relieved.

Money Resolution reported and agreed to.