asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that the licence duty payable by persons fishing in Lough Foyle on draft and drift fishing nets has been increased from £5 to £16, and, if so, if he will make a statement in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fishing Net Licences.
asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that the regulations made by the Foyle Fisheries Commission increasing draft and drift net licences from £5 to £16 will cause hardship to boat fishermen, and, if so, what action he proposes to take in the matter.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 56 and 57 together.
Regulations increasing the licence duty payable in respect of draft nets used in waters other than the tideway of the River Foyle and drift nets generally from £5 to £16 were made by the Foyle Fisheries Commission on 12th January, 1955, under Section 13 of the Foyle Fisheries Act, 1952. These regulations were approved by me as required by the Statute. Draft nets used in the tideway of the River Foyle have been, since the establishment of the Foyle Fisheries Commission, subject to a licence duty of £16 and in view of the increasing number of nets coming into use outside the river tideway and the substantial quantities of fish taken by these nets it is considered that the interests of the fisheries as a whole are best served by having the same duty payable in respect of all draft and drift nets wherever used in the Foyle area.
Arising out of the reply, is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the tidal water at the mouth of the river mentioned is the most northerly in Ireland? Is the Parliamentary Secretary further aware that the area stretches as far as Glengad, which is situated right out in the Atlantic, and that these men will be compelled to pay £16 for their licences as against the £3 being paid by their neighbours? This, together with the matter which I raised last week, is clearly an attempt to put the drift net fishermen out of business though their total catches amounted to only £9,000 last year. Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that those fishermen out in the Atlantic will now have to pay this £16 licence because they live in the Foyle area?
If the Deputy puts down a question on this matter, I shall have it investigated and I shall be glad to facilitate him.