asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state what further steps, if any, he proposes to take to stop the persistent poaching of the territorial fishing grounds off the Wexford coast by foreign trawlers, and if his attention has been directed to the frequent discussions at meetings of the Wexford County Committee of Agriculture on this subject.

I have received representations from the Wexford County Committee of Agriculture on the subject of illegal fishing off our southeast coast and I have assured the committee, as I now assure the Deputy, that I am determined to do everything possible with the means at my disposal to prevent infraction of the law with regard to the exclusive fishery limits of the Saorstát.

Arising out of the Minister's reply, will the Minister tell us what steps he takes to find out at the earliest possible moment where poaching takes place? Is it compulsory on the Guards to notify the Minister, or by what means does he know that poaching is going on?

The Guards do report.

Might I suggest to the Minister that they should be reminded of their duties in that respect?