asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state if he informed the Kerry Board of Fishery Conservators, as reported in a provincial newspaper, that there would be no increase in the cost of salmon rod licences; whether this statement means that the excise levy of 10/- per licence authorised by the Salmon Conservancy Fund Act, 1954, will not be made and, if so, if he will state what action he intends to take in respect of the levy at present in force under the same Act.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Levy on Salmon Rod Licences.
Mr. Flanagan
The answer to the first and second parts of the Deputy's question is, yes. As to the third part I refer the Deputy to the reply I have just given to Deputy Mac Cuinneagáin.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary say there is a possibility that the levy at present in operation will be abolished?
Mr. Flanagan
I have replied to Deputy Mac Cuinneagáin to say this matter is under consideration.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary indicate where he proposes to get the sinews of the war which he has declared on poachers and poaching recently if he abolishes the levy? Is it going to be passed on to the general taxpayer?
That is a separate question.
You put the levy on to protect the Exchequer. The Minister for Finance told you to do it.
I put the levy on to protect the salmon. Nobody in the Government told me to do it. I did it off my own bat.
You did not.
I did it off my own bat.
You were made do it.
I was not; it was approved by the Government on my recommendation and initiative.