asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries when he hopes to give a decision on the application of Dublin Ports and Docks Board to amend the bye laws for net salmon fishing on the River Liffey and to curtail the number of licences being issued to owners of drift nets.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - River Liffey Net Salmon Fishing.
18.
The proposal of Dublin Port and Docks Board for altering the salmon netting stretch in the River Liffey was referred by my Department to the Dublin Board of Fishery Conservators for consideration. That fishery board has intimated that it does not favour the proposal of the Dublin Port and Docks Board as it stands and is approaching the latter with an alternative proposal.
Might I ask the Minister to hold a public inquiry into the whole matter before making a final decision on it?
I could not answer that at the moment. It is something that has changed somewhat since the last question the Deputy asked. We have new proposals from the fishery board and we have their intimation that they do not favour the proposal of Dublin Port and Docks Board and that the fishery board are approaching the Port and Docks Board with a proposal the outcome of which I would await before having any final mind on the matter.
Are the people with licences for drift nets earning their living from this sort of work?
I would not be in a position to say this either because salmon netting is for only a very short period in the year. Whether or not that is their only income or whether they do other fishing or engage in some other work, I do not know.
If the people concerned are people who do earn their livelihood by netting fish, their outlook on this matter and that of the Port and Docks Board may be entirely different. Will the Minister consider that point? I am quite sure he will.
I will consider the lot.