asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries whether he is prepared to table the proceedings and recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Inland Fisheries, of which Senator Sir T. Grattan Esmonde was chairman, and the late Mr. H. D. Connor, K.C., a member.
Ceisteanna.—Questions. Oral Answers. - Advisory Committee on Inland Fisheries.
The recommendations of this Committee, which sat in 1923, were adopted by me and embodied in the Fisheries Act, 1925. No purpose would be served at this date in laying the proceedings and recommendations on the Table of the House.
In view of the fact that the Minister states that the recommendations of that Committee were adopted, I would like to point out to the Minister that the report of his Department, dated 1st June, 1927, states that most of the recommendations made by this Committee had been embodied in the Fisheries Act, 1925. As they were not all embodied is the Minister prepared to table the recommendations made by that Committee?
The only recommendation in the report that was not embodied in the 1925 Act is in contemplation under proposals for legislation which are at present with the draftsman. That particular item was a provision for the appointment of Commissioners where boards of conservators ceased to function.
In view of the fact that the Minister, speaking in this House on 4th June last on the Estimate for his Department, said that many Bills were in the course of preparation and as the Minister knows there are many defects as far as inland fisheries are concerned, I suggest to the Minister that in fairness to the House he should table the proceedings and recommendations of that Committee.
Considering all these are embodied in legislation except that one provision I do not see what purpose will be served, but if anyone is particularly keen on seeing the recommendations I shall let him see a copy of them.
I take it the Minister is prepared to let me see a copy?
Yes.