asked the Minister for Fisheries whether he has received any protests from the Riparian Owners' and Anglers' Association of the Munster Blackwater, as to the manner in which the election of Conservators, held at Fermoy, on 19th October, 1925, was carried out; whether he will accede to the request recently made to him, to send down an inspector to Mallow, to inquire into and report upon the alleged irregularities complained of in connection with these elections; if the complaints already submitted to him are sustained upon evidence whether he will order a new election of Conservators for the freshwater portion of the No. 4 Lismore District of the Blackwater.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - MUNSTER BLACKWATER FISHERIES.
I have received complaints of alleged irregularities at the election of Conservators held at Fermoy on the 19th October last, but whilst I am anxious to take any course open to me to rectify irregularities arising from non-compliance with my regulations governing the election of Conservators, I am unable to interfere where questions of fact are at issue, as in the present case. Such points can only be decided by a court of law.
Is the Minister aware that the allegation is, that, in accordance with regulation No. 5, the Chairman should be elected from those present and licensed? In this particular case, the Chairman was not a licensed fisherman, and I think it would be easy to find out if that were true.
I am aware that that allegation has been made, and I have instituted inquiries as to whether or not that is the case.