asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that owing to his Department's recent co-operation with the Killarney Board of Conservators, great inconvenience and hardship is being caused to the Cromane fishermen; and, if so, whether he will sanction the holding of an inquiry at Killorglin with a view to justice being done for the fishermen concerned.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Grievances of Kerry Fishermen.
Mr. Walsh
I take it that what the Deputy has in mind is the fact that in recent months the Kerry Board of Conservators has, in the discharge of its statutory functions, taken steps in the Cromane area to terminate the netting of salmon during the weekly close time, the use of pusher nets with meshes in excess of the prescribed size limit, and the use of nets as fixed engines. The prohibition of netting in the weekly close time and of the use of nets as fixed engines is embodied in the Fisheries Acts and applies generally throughout the country, and I cannot undertake to consider amendment of the Acts to meet the wishes of the Cromane fishermen alone. The Cromane fishermen are of course free to fish with draft nets at all lawful times, and they are not subjected to any more inconvenience or hardship in the administration of the Fisheries Acts than fishermen in any other part of the country.
Is the Minister aware that these men enjoyed a concession for the last 60 years and that the Department allowed them to fish on a Saturday because of the difficulty experienced by them in regard to open bay fishing; that recently the Department changed all that and deprived them of this concession, which has caused considerable loss and hardship to them? In view of that fact, will the Minister have an inquiry into the whole matter?
Mr. Walsh
It is my intention to inquire into the matter.