Seanad Éireann debate -
Thursday, 18 Dec 1930

Vol. 14 No. 6

Sea Fisheries Bill, 1930—Reference to Special Committee.

Mr. Johnson

I move:—

"That the Sea Fisheries Bill, 1930, be referred to a Special Committee consisting of the following eight Senators:—

"S.L. Brown, K.C.;

"J.C. Dowdall;

"Thomas Foran;

"John MacLoughlin;

"Joseph O'Doherty;

"M.F. O'Hanlon;

"L. O'Neill, and

"Thomas Johnson.

"Four to form a quorum."

I would like to say that I have spoken to several of the Senators named. I have not spoken to two, so that I am not able to say if they are willing to act. They are chosen because of my own idea of their suitability. I think it desirable that the Bill should be referred to a Committee. Perhaps, in the first instance, the Minister will agree to an informal Committee to discuss intimately with himself and his advisers and to clear up points of difficulty, and then to discuss the matter in a more formal manner in view of any amendments that may come. I think it is desirable that some examination of the provisions of the Bill and possibly even of the rules should be undertaken by a committee of this kind. It would be of advantage to the Bill and the purpose which the Minister has in view.

Mr. Comyn

I second.

Mr. Lynch

I have no rooted objection to the special committee. What I felt was that the second thing to which Senator Johnson referred would be extremely desirable, that is that a conference between persons interested in any particular aspect of the Bill and myself should be held. I do not know that there is anything so out of the way in the Bill that it cannot go to the ordinary Committee. I am wondering whether a special committee would save us from having another committee stage when the Bill comes back here. If conferences are arranged I will be available any time during the recess. If Senators would discuss any points which they wish to discuss with me I think it would be preferable.

Mr. Johnson

I considered that, but I really thought committees were advantageous in other cases and that a committee would probably be advantageous in this case. It would save a prolonged committee stage and report stage.

Sir John Keane

Might I ask what is the position with regard to these rules? Senator Johnson suggested that the rules would be considered and presumably amended. Surely it is out of the power of this House in any way to alter those rules. They have to be altered from within the society itself. They have already been registered under the Friendly Society Acts and I do not see how they can be touched by any committee arranged by this House.

Miss Browne

May I ask the Minister to give us some indication as to whether or not anything will be done to secure that any fish will be left in the sea to be dealt with by this Bill.

Cathaoirleach

That is outside the Bill.

Miss Browne

It is a matter which should be dealt with.

Mr. Lynch

As a matter of fact, the Senator referred to a question of penalties on Frenchmen who come along lobster fishing off the coast. The penalties at the moment, notwithstanding what the Senator says, when you take the difference of exchange between the franc and the pound, are pretty heavy. Furthermore, there is power to confiscate gear. There is no power to confiscate a boat. I think the penalties are fairly heavy as they stand.

Miss Browne

They think nothing of these penalties.

Mr. Lynch

I doubt that very much. From the many appeals we get in connection with the fines imposed, I do not at all agree that they are looked upon as negligible. Many representations have been made to the Department by the French Commercial Attache and the French Minister. I think the penalties are considered very severe. In fact, there is under consideration at the moment a Bill to deal with our exclusive fishery rights which will deal with the general question of penalties. It has nothing at all to do, perhaps, with some of the things that are in persons' minds.

Mrs. Wyse-Power

Might I say that it is not a question of penalties that Miss Browne altogether refers to. It is a question of the opportunity to catch them. I do not think the State gives the opportunity of catching these intruders which it ought to give. I think that is really the question and not the penalty.

Miss Browne

The penalty is important too.

Question put and agreed to.