asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that a large body of fishermen have sustained serious financial loss owing to the operation of foreign trawlers along the Irish coast; whether he is aware that foreign trawlers have, in fact, landed their catches at Howth to the detriment of County Dublin fishermen, and if he will state what steps he proposes taking in the near future to protect the livelihood of the fishermen concerned, and when such measures as are contemplated will be in effective operation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Illegal Trawling.
Under the existing law, I am concerned with the presence of foreign trawlers only in so far as such vessels may attempt to operate within our exclusive fishery limits; and I have taken, and will continue to take, all measures possible with the means at my disposal to deal with any such infraction of our regulations.
Is the Minister aware that owing to want of activity on the part of his Department or from some other source, the number of persons engaged in the fishing industry is decreasing day by day and that in the last five years it has decreased by 25 per cent? Is he aware that the decrease is becoming steeper every day owing to lack of protection for the men who are earning their livelihood in this industry?
That is a different question.
Is the Minister aware that, six years ago, Deputy Brady stated that if the present Minister for Agriculture were appointed to that office, the foreign trawlers would be swept out of the territorial waters of the Irish Free State within a fortnight?
I did not catch that.
Deputy Brady caught it.