asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries if he is aware that the inhabitants of Inistrahull Island, who depend for their livelihood on the fishing industry, have been compelled to leave the island owing to the depredations of poaching trawlers; and if he will state what steps he intends to take to deal with this state of affairs.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Poaching Trawlers off Donegal Coast.
I am aware that the inhabitants of Inistrahull have recently removed to the mainland owing, it is stated, to their inability to support themselves on the island by fishing. I have no grounds for believing that this resulted from the operations of trawlers in the vicinity of the island nor were any such representations made to me before their removal.
As previously stated, the whole position in regard to trawling in the territorial waters of the Saorstát is under consideration.