asked the Minister for Lands if he will consider payment of compensation to the Ballyshannon fishermen who have been deprived of portion of their livelihood as a result of the recent by-law which prohibits fishing in the Erne estuary.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Erne Estuary Fishermen: Question of Compensation.
The answer to the Deputy's question is "No". I may add that the by-law referred to in the question which prohibits all forms of fishing in the Erne estuary for the 1958 season only is designed to afford the depleted stocks of salmon in the Erne system some opportunity of recovery. The by-law is, therefore, one which in the long run must be of benefit to the fishermen themselves.
Would the Minister agree that the circumstances which necessitated this by-law were brought about, not by any action of the fishermen, but by the E.S.B. who are responsible for the depletion of the fish in the estuary?
The question of the responsibility of the E.S.B. for this condition of affairs is a matter which could be the subject of discussion between the fishermen themselves and the E.S.B.
Does the Minister agree that some of the crews are families who have been depending on this fishing for generations as their main source of livelihood? Would he not consider having some form of compensation paid to these families?
There are no funds available to me out of which compensation could be paid to any of the Erne fishermen involved, even if such compensation were deemed to be due. The reason for that is that no right of fishing has been taken away as, for example, in the case of the abolition of fresh-water netting. The public is being restrained in the public interest from fishing at a time which is critical from the point of view of the stocks of fish in the river.
Would the Minister say if the by-law will extend beyond the present season?
That decision has not been made. The by-law has only been made until September of this year and the matter will be studied to see whether the stocks of salmon going up the river will be sufficiently increased to enable fishermen in coming years to secure greater revenue than they did in the past.
Would the Minister consider, even at this stage, reopening the estuary for rod fishing because it is a serious blow to the tourist potential of the area to have it closed for angling?
Naturally I should like to do all I could to help the tourist industry but I have evidence of an overwhelmingly significant character which indicates that stocks must be allowed to go up the Erne before I can ensure that the fishermen there will be able to fish with increased revenue in the future. I have taken all the advice I could get on the subject and there is no conflict in regard to the matter.