asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he has received any reports of illegal fishing by trawlers in Donegal Bay within the past three months; if he will state what protection is being afforded against illegal trawling in Donegal Bay at present; what is the date of the last visit of the patrol boat to this locality; and what he proposes to do in order to put a stop to this illegal fishing.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Illegal Fishing in Donegal Bay.
One complaint, in general terms, as to illegal trawling in Donegal Bay has reached me during the past three months. The latest visit of the fishery cruiser to that area was in the period between the 6th and 11th instant, during which the place was thoroughly patrolled. I am determined to do the utmost possible with the means at my disposal to prevent breaches of the fishery laws and regulations on our coasts.
Does the Minister agree that the protection is absolutely insufficient? Would he endeavour to institute some system whereby information can be passed on to headquarters when trawlers are discovered trawling illegally? It is well known that in Donegal when the fishery cruiser had gone out of sight, the trawlers came in broad daylight and carried on illegal trawling. It is very difficult to get the information passed on to the patrol boat's headquarters. Will the Minister institute some system whereby the minute the trawler is seen fishing illegally, the office in Dublin will be notified and adequate steps taken?
What is the speed of the battleship?
With regard to the manner of putting questions, I desire, without specifying any particular Deputy, to draw the attention of the House to Standing Order 34.