asked the Minister for Lands if he approves of the action of the Foyle Fisheries Commission in setting up new fishing stations on the Foyle River between Derry and Carrigans, County Donegal, in view of the fact that penal restrictions were imposed on private fishermen and that this action of the Commission seems to confirm their desire to increase the income and profits of the Commission in the incoming season.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Foyle River Fishing Stations.
27.
While I have no function in matters of day-to-day administration by the Foyle Fisheries Commission, I propose to deal with the implication that an action of the Commission in operating the private fishery known as "the Derry stretch" tends to defeat the purpose of regulations made by the Commission and confirmed by Ministers. I should like to make it clear that there are no grounds for that implication. I am informed that the Commission does not propose to operate any additional fishing shot but is merely making preparations for trial operation of a shot from the right bank of the river in substitution for one which has been operated from the left bank.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary say whether the Commission contemplate an increase in their total catch?
No, no increase in the total catch. It is merely a more economical way of operating. It is only a substitution of the right bank of the river for the left bank.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that in view of the fact that restrictive regulations have recently been made materially to reduce the opportunities of individual fishermen to fish in this fishery, it is to say the least a very tactless procedure to alter the Commission's own conduct of the fishery thereby creating the impression among penalised fishermen that the Commission are getting more while the fishermen are getting less?
The two matters are not associated.
Is that clear to the local fishermen?
I hope I made it clear in my reply.
The Parliamentary Secretary has not made it clear to me.