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ill the North Sea were considerably diminishing, and at 

 this moment, or very lately, there was a Royal Com- 

 missioner nominated for the purpose of inquiring into the 

 cause of this diminution of fish in the North Sea. Under 

 such circumstances it was most desirable that the fishing 

 resources of Ireland should be developed to the greatest 

 possible extent. There were only ^^"500,000 worth cap- 

 tured, and that quantity might be readily augmented 

 tenfold. The previous speaker had alluded to the very 

 small amount to which the west coast of Ireland was 

 utilised for the purpose of fish capture, but there was no 

 doubt that arose from the want of sufficient harbours. 

 From the mouth of the Shannon to Galway Bay, about 

 seventy miles, there was only one indifferent harbour on 

 the coast of Clare. For thirty-five miles, from Galway to 

 Liscanor Bay, there was no harbour which would accom- 

 modate a boat of even ten tons, and from there again to 

 the mouth of the Shannon there was an equal absence of 

 harbour accommodation. Fishery companies had been 

 established for the purpose of fishing the west coast, but 

 they had all failed, chiefly from this cause, because, owing 

 to the tempestuous character of the sea, the crews were 

 often obliged to remain for weeks in a state of enforced 

 idleness, and he was sorry to say that they then often 

 resorted to the public - house to kill time, so that when 

 the water was suitable they were not in a fit state for 

 resuming their labours. He was happy to say that, owing 

 to a very important vote lately passed for granting out 

 of their own money, the Church Fund, ;^2 50,000, the want 

 was likely to be supplied, and he had no doubt as a 

 consequence very important fishery enterprises would be 

 established. It was quite out of the question for men to 

 think of getting boats suitable for fishing in those tempcs- 



