asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps he is taking to protect County Donegal salmon net fishermen fishing off the northern coast some of whom had their nets confiscated yesterday following an apparently arbitrary decision taken without notice that the traditional one-mile fishing limit is now extended to three miles.
Private Notice Question. - Protection of Donegal Salmon Net Fishermen.
I do not know what the order is. I am sorry for the very short notice and I appreciate the Chair allowing the question and also the Minister being available. I do not know whether I have the right now to give further information to that contained in the question.
No. This is similar to an ordinary question. The Minister will now reply and I will allow the Deputy some supplementaries, as is normal.
I am at a disadvantage. I heard of this matter less than a quarter of an hour ago and had considerable difficulty getting here, never mind getting the answer. I have to apologise to the Deputy that owing to the short notice I have been unable to get any information on it. All I can say to the Deputy is that I will seek further information this evening and I will communicate directly with the Deputy as soon as I get any information. I am sorry I cannot do more than that at this time.
I am fully aware of the difficulty in the Minister getting here and the very short notice. I thank him for coming. Because of the urgency of the matter, I have sought to get it brought to the attenion of the appropriate Minister so that immediate action can be taken. I would ask the Minister whether he is aware that the situation is that one fisherman out of, perhaps, 12 or 20 participating in fishing in this area had his entire nets and gear confiscated, which effectively puts him out of business. The season is very short and he may lose his livelihood, which is from fishing, in the next few weeks. Secondly, I would ask whether the Minister is aware that all those who escaped the patrol boat on the night in question are now at risk if they proceed to fish where they have traditionally fished. In view of the very short salmon fishing season, I would ask him if he would take all possible steps to have the matter rectified quickly. If there is any information that I can supply the Minister with, I will give it to him immediately the House adjourns rather than take up the time of the House.
I appreciate Deputy Blaney's drawing the matter to my attention in this way. If the facts are as stated, that a fisherman fishing in an area in which he is entitled to fish and where it is accepted that he is entitled to fish had his gear confiscated, then certainly we will take immediate action in the matter but, obviously, I am not familiar with the facts at this time. I will institute immediate inquiry into it and will get in touch wih Deputy Blaney on any results I get from that inquiry.
Thank you.
The Dáil adjourned at 5.5 p.m. until 3 p.m. on Tuesday, 17th July, 1973.