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Dáil Éireann - Volume 33 - 19 March, 1930

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Saltee Islands Fishing.

Dr. White asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries whether he is aware that two French lobster boats were caught fishing within three miles of the Saltee Islands on the 7th March, 1930, and were arrested and the skippers brought before the District Justice at Waterford, who dismissed the case on the ground that the waters surrounding the Saltee Islands were international waters, and, if so, what action he proposes to take in the matter.

Minister for Lands and Fisheries (Mr. Lynch): I am answering both these questions together. I am aware of the matters referred to in the questions, and the further steps which it may be desirable to take in the case are at present the subject [2041] of consideration by the legal advisers of the Government.

Mr. Goulding: Is the Minister aware that this is a very serious matter? There is a large number of those foreign trawlers on this particular portion of the coast. They watch the patrol boat, and on the night of February 24th, they were noticed to move off the coast when the patrol boat appeared but when she left they returned and picked up a number of pots. It is a practice with them to catch a large quantity of immature fish which they put into tanks. For the people of that district fishing is the only means of livelihood, and if illegal trawling is allowed to continue the spawning beds will be depleted and the fisheries will cease to exist.

Mr. Lynch: I think that the Deputy is anticipating the Estimates. I could not give an answer other than that which I have given, as the matter is awaiting the decision of the legal advisers of the Government to see what can be done. A decision was given by a district justice and I could not rule as to the effect of that decision. It is a question of what steps can be taken to remedy that.

Mr. Cassidy: Are we to understand that the Saltee Islands are not part of the State?

Mr. Lynch: Certainly not. It is on that that we want the legal advice as to what steps should he taken to upset the decision. We want to ascertain the legal view.

Mr. Allen: Have the three miles been measured from the mainland or from the islands off the coast?

Mr. Lynch: That is a matter for the Attorney-General.

Mr. Allen: Would the Minister not give his opinion?

Mr. Lynch: My opinion is not a legal one.

Mr. Little: If the Minister would look at the map he would see that it is not three miles.

[2042] Mr. Cooney: Would the Minister not cede these islands to France and make another damn good bargain?

Mr. Allen: Will the Minister say what steps will be taken pending the decision of the legal advisers?

Mr. Lynch: Precautions are always taken in such cases and steps will be taken in that area. Even though the case went against the Commander of the fishery cruiser he will continue to take the same steps until a decision is given by a higher court.

Mr. Allen: Are the steps that have been taken adequate to protect the fishermen in that district?

An Ceann Comhairle: That is a separate question.

Mr. Goulding: Would the Minister consider the advisability of providing the local Gárda with motor boats to watch these particular trawlers? The patrol boat cannot remain off that particular portion of the coast, and the foreign trawlers remain at Dunmore Harbour night after night awaiting their chance to carry out illegal trawling.

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