asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state when he proposes to put into operation Part V of the Fisheries Act, 1939, with reference to the salmon and eel fisheries in the Corrib.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fisheries Act, 1939.
The implementation of Part V of the Fisheries Act, 1939, is under consideration, but I regret I cannot say when it will be possible to apply the provisions of the Act to the salmon and eel fisheries at Galway.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary ensure that the fishing rights of the Corrib will not be sold in the meantime to private interests?
I am afraid I cannot ensure that. The fisheries, by whomsoever they may be controlled when Part V of the 1939 Act comes into operation, will be subject to the terms of the Act irrespective of whether a change has or has not taken place in the meantime.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary ensure that the fishing rights will be preserved for the nation as a whole when that part of the Act finally comes into operation and not for a group of private individuals?
I think the Deputy knows that the fisheries cannot be removed from where they are. The Fisheries Branch will, of course, see to it that, if they take them over, they will be preserved for the best possible benefit of the Irish people as a whole.