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he merely stated them for the purpose of showing that there 

 was a strong claim on Imperial assistance now, for the 

 purpose of forwarding the long neglected and even repressed 

 Irish fisheries. One circumstance would prove why these 

 fisheries ought to be helped as a matter of Imperial interest. 

 It was an unquestionable fact that the fisheries in the North 

 Sea were considerably diminishing, and at this moment, or 

 very lately, there was a Royal Commissioner 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 captured, and that quantity might be 

 readily augmented ten-fold. 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 

 accommodate 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 



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