asked the Minister for Agriculture whether his Department issues licences for salmon net fishing in the estuary of the River Corrib in which a public fishing right exists; and, if not, why not?
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Salmon Fishing.
No. Licences of the kind mentioned by the Deputy are issued by the boards of conservators in the respective fishery districts in accordance with the Fisheries Acts.
Can the Minister say why there is different treatment on this estuary as compared with other estuaries in the county?
Really I would prefer, if the Deputy seeks information of that character, that he would give me notice of it, and I shall then try to give him full particulars of the procedure in respect of each fishery district, if he wishes to have that.
The net point is that there is a claim to a several fishery in these tidal navigable waters. Would the Minister, for the information of the people living round the shores of the estuary, inquire if this several fishery is well founded? I understand that a claim must be 800 years old before it can be effective. Would the Minister inform the public if the claim is effective and if the conditions established in it have been fulfilled?
I have tried to furnish the Deputy with an assurance that any information he may require, I am at his ready service to provide on notice. But the Deputy knows that I know that he knows that I know that he is riding an ould war horse, that he has been riding now in respect of this question for a very considerable time; if he wishes to ride it again, I am at his service to revive him with harness, saddle and stirrups.
Perhaps it is an ass.
Would the Minister give the information which the people require to satisfy them for being deprived of the right to fish in this estuary?
Quite sincerely, I am most eager and willing to answer any inquiry that the Deputy cares to put upon paper. But I shall not attempt to answer a series of supplementary questions, the replies to which the Deputy must know require preparation to answer adequately and which he also knows I am not now prepared to answer.
Very well. I shall put down a question.