asked the Minister for Lands whether his attention has been directed to a statement made in Bantry by a district justice, in the course of the hearing of a charge against a French skipper of fishing within the three miles limit, to the effect that the Sea Fisheries Protection Act, 1933, while referring to the exclusive fishery limits, gave no definition of what the limits were, and, if so, if he will take steps to remedy this defect.
Ceisteanna-Questions. Oral Answers. - Fishery Limite: Statement of District Justice.
I have seen the statement referred to by the Deputy. The Sea Fisheries Protection Act, 1933, does contain a definition of the exclusive fishery limits. The matter which I believe caused doubt to the district justice was the interpretation of that definition. I understand that the effect of the district justice's interpretation on the proceedings in the District Court is being considered by the Attorney General, and I think I should not express any view at this stage.
Surely the Minister must clarify the position in view of the fact that last May a skipper from County Down, an Irishman, was fined a sum of £5 and lost his gear for fishing inside the exclusive fishery limits of Ireland under the 1933 Act? Can the Minister reconcile that decision with that taken in Cork where the captain of a French trawler had the charges dismissed against him on the ruling of the district justice that, as far as he was concerned, there was no definition as to what the exclusive fishery limits of Ireland were under the 1933 Act?
The Attorney General is examining this matter and I can assure the Deputy that everything will be done to elucidate this whole question in regard to the fishery limits of this country. He need have no doubt that the necessary action will be taken but I do not propose to say any more in view of the fact that the district justice has given a decision and the matter should proceed in the normal manner.
Would the Minister consider giving an Oxford Dictionary to the Attorney General so that he will be able to decide what the exclusive fishery rights are?