andMr. P. O'Donnell asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will request the Foyle Fisheries Commission to refrain from increasing the licensing fee for salmon net fishermen in the immediate future.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Salmon Fishing Licences.
8.
Any proposed increase of licence duties for fishing in the Foyle Area would require the making of amending regulations by the Foyle Fisheries Commission with the statutory approval of the fishery authorities in Dublin and Belfast. I shall consider this matter fully if such regulations come before me, but I do not think I should interfere at this stage with the normal working of the Commission which is the statutory body set up by the two Governments to manage and administer these fisheries.
Has the Minister received, as some of the rest of us have received, complaints from the fishermen that they have been informed by the authority that the rate of the licence fee is to be raised?
No. So far as I know, what has given rise to the question by my two colleagues from Donegal is the fact that the Foyle Fisheries Commission have circulated to the members of the advisory council certain proposals for their comments and suggestions. That is all that has happened so far. These proposals encompass certain matters bearing on an increase in the licences and other things to do with the days on which fishing is allowed. These have been circulated to the council members, who will report back to the Commission as to what they think about them.
Inasmuch as I happened to be Minister for Agriculture at the time we bought the Foyle Fisheries, I also get representations from the Foyle fishermen. May I then say to them, there is no immediate question of the fee being raised and that the whole question is merely raised in an advisory sense at this time?
This would be so. On the other hand, the House will appreciate that, if there was to be an increase in the licence in the coming season, the time between now and that decision would, of necessity, be somewhat short.
But they cannot raise the fees without reference to the Irish Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries?
No, and to the Minister in Belfast.