asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the reason for the refusal to grant a salmon fishing licence by the Foyle Fisheries Commission to a person (name supplied) in County Donegal.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Salmon Licences.
4.
I have ascertained from the Foyle Fisheries Commission which is responsible for the issue of salmon fishing licences in the Foyle area that the application in question was fully considered by them. In view, however, of a decline in the salmon stocks of the Foyle and of the urgent need for conservation the commission decided not to grant any new licences this year.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that extra licences were granted this year? Is he also aware that drop-outs have not been replaced? Could he say, as a result, how will young fishermen such as this man, qualify in future for a licence?
The Control of Fishing for Salmon Order, 1973 does not apply to the Foyle Fisheries. The applications are determined by the commission. They issued 217 draught net licences and approximately 100 drift net licences. That is the number that are issued each year.
We know all that; that is not the reply to the question I asked.
The Deputy has made representations to the commission on the basis that the applicant in whom he is particularly interested is more deserving than some of the applicants who got licences. He has referred to particular groups of people who got licences and who, apparently in the Deputy's opinion, should not have got licences. However, the commission did not accept the Deputy's recommendation so far as the particular person in question is concerned. But, in the light of the representations made by him on the groups who have got licences and who should not get them, they are reviewing the position for the coming year.
So he is going to get one now.
What I am querying is why no new licences were issued and why this man was not issued with a new licence.
The commission did not consider him to be suitably qualified for a licence having regard to the fact that the number of licences issued is limited in accordance with the conservation measures for salmon stocks. Consequently, a number of applications—even some, I am sure, from deserving applicants—had to be rejected by virtue of the limitation on the numbers to be granted.
Question No. 5, please. This must be the final supplementary; we must make some progress.
Might I ask the Parliamentary Secretary if, in future years along with this year—when there are to be, as there always have been, drop-outs through death or other reasons—there are to be replacements made by the issue of new licences. In other words, is this year's pattern going to be continued?
As I indicated to the Deputy, the Commission are reviewing the whole position. I think the Deputy has taken exception to the fact that widows of people who held licences now hold licences and got them from the commission. Therefore, the commission are reviewing the position of widows. I understand a number of widows, hold licences to give them an opportunity——
Question No. 5. The Chair has called the next question.
The Parliamentary Secretary has made an accusation that I objected to the granting of licences to widows.
Deputy, this is Question Time. No. 5 please.
Has the Parliamentary Secretary a record of that and can he prove it?
Yes.
(Interruptions.)
I have called the next question.
I am saying to the Deputy that the commission proposes to review the licences granted to widows in recent years having regard to the representations made by the Deputy. I cannot say what will be the outcome of the review but possibly some widows may lose their licences.
Therefore, I take it that the Parliamentary Secretary is withdrawing his allegation.
Deputy Cunningham—I think the Deputy will agree I have given him a lot of latitude. I am calling the next question.
5.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will alter the terms of the order in relation to salmon licences to facilitate island people; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
As I have already indicated in reply to a previous question, I gave full consideration to the feasibility of making some special provision for island fishermen prior to making the Control of Fishing for Salmon Order, 1973, but, in view of the implications of such a provision and the urgent need for conservation of the salmon stocks it was not possible to implement the proposal. In the circumstances I do not propose to amend the order.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the reply he has just read out is absolutely ridiculous and has no bearing whatsoever on the applications of island fishermen?
The Deputy is engaging in argument rather than asking a relevant Supplementary Question.
It could not be more relevant.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that island people have got access to the sea only and that the majority of them are employed by the fruits of the sea? Is he now telling this House that he is not prepared to grant a licence, even to somebody who passed a Civil Service examination and was called to the Civil Service but because of the fact that he saw a better future in the sea or of making his living from the sea and so decided, the Parliamentary Secretary would deny a licence to a young fellow like that? And is he aware that that is in his own constituency in Cape Clear? I want the Parliamentary Secretary to state categorically here——
I cannot permit a Deputy to make a speech. The Deputy must ask a relevant and brief Supplementary Question. He may not utilise Question Time to make speeches.
The Chair often did himself.
I am only asking the Parliamentary Secretary——
The Deputy must come to a conclusion on this Supplementary Question.
I wish the Parliamentary Secretary would come to a proper conclusion, for the people of the islands. Is the Parliamentary Secretary telling this House that he is not prepared to give any consideration to an application from a young fellow who has, if you like, invested in the future of the sea, to give him a salmon licence?
The Salmon Control Order, 1973, applies to islands just as to all other parts of the country, with the exception of the Foyle area. I am particularly mindful of the special consideration which should be given to islands. So far as the Cork group of islands are concerned, under the Order made by Fianna Fáil one applicant only qualified. Under my amending order 38 additional applicants qualified so that the islanders hold 39 licences——
(Interruptions.)
So that is 38 additional ones.
Question No. 6, please.
In the Letterkenny area, if you want additional licences——
(Interruptions.)
I want to ask a second supplementary question on this, because it is a very important issue. It is important for both the Parliamentary Secretary and myself.
If the Deputy wishes to seek permission for an additional supplementary he must do so quickly, please.
What I want to know from the Parliamentary Secretary is this: is he prepared at this stage to grant a licence to somebody who makes his living solely from fishing?
We have already had that question on a number of occasions.
But the Parliamentary Secretary has not answered it.
All applications from the Cork area were examined diligently by the administrator and adjudicated on by him. I am satisfied that his decisions are fair and just. As I have mentioned already, in the Cork area, island people hold now 39 licences against one granted under Fianna Fáil. That is a fact.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary telling us that An tAthair Tomás Ó Murchú has no right to go ahead and fight on their behalf when he sees the injustices being committed by the Parliamentary Secretary and indeed against the people for whom he is responsible——
References to persons outside this House should not be made.
——and when your adminstration has not given licences to the proper people?
I am afraid we shall have to pass on to No. 6.
So far as An tAthair Ó Murchú area is concerned under the Fianna Fáil Order, no licence was granted; under mine 12 licences were granted.
Well, he is very dissatisfied with the Parliamentary Secretary's licences anyway.
He had much more reason to be dissatisfied with the licences granted under Fianna Fáil.