(An Clár) asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether his Department has considered the position of the fishermen in the Killaloe and district area of the Shannon who have lost their means of living because of the operation of the Shannon scheme, and if he is yet in a position to state what scheme of fishery development he foreshadowed when he spoke in the Dáil during the progress of the Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Act, 1930.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Position of Killaloe Fishermen.
Pádraig O hOgáin
I have at present nothing to add to my previous statements on the subject of these fishermen. Particulars of a contemplated scheme for the development of fisheries on the Shannon cannot be given in advance of the introduction of the legislation that would be necessary to give effect to such a scheme. This legislation is at the moment under consideration, and there will be no unnecessary delay in introducing it.
Mr. Hogan
Is the Minister aware that these fishermen are out of work for a considerable time, and is he aware that there is suffering and very grave and serious hardship caused by unemployment? I am sure he is aware of what occurred here on the 5th June, 1930, when he twitted me that my information was poor and bad. On that occasion he said: "Under the scheme that we are bringing forward, there is going to be more fishing on the river, more salmon caught than ever before." Surely it is time something should be done. Meantime will the Minister tell us what he has done and how soon we may expect a scheme; also what he means when he said "unnecessary delay"? Will he see that there will be no unnecessary delay?
What I have done in the meantime is to consider legislation. "Unnecessary delay" is a term that does not require any explanation.