asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if he will take steps to end the strike by employees of the Western Regional Fishery Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Western Regional Fishery Board Dispute.
5.
(Cavan-Monaghan): The dispute involving employees of the Western Regional Fisheries Board is primarily a matter for settlement between the employees and the board. I understand that the parties involved are still in negotiation and I am awaiting the outcome.
Is the Minister aware of the seriousness of the effects of this strike on the fish life in certain parts of this fishery board area and of the effects of the lack of control over the fisheries which are owned by the State and owned privately in this area? Will the Minister give an assurance that he personally will intervene in this dispute to seek to find a just solution as soon as possible before calamitous damage is done to the fish stocks? I have in mind in particular the salmon hatchery in Cong where I understand years and years of excellent work is threatened with extinction if these salmon fry are allowed to die.
(Cavan-Monaghan): As the Deputy knows, the Fisheries Act, 1980, had as one of its objects the giving of as much autonomy as possible to the fishery board under the Central Fishery Board. While appreciating the desirability of seeing this dispute ended, it is only right that the western regional board and the central board should be given an opportunity of resolving the situation. It is only when that is seen not to work that any outside agency should intervene.
When did this strike start?
(Cavan-Monaghan): As far as I am aware it started on 10 June.
What was the cause of it?
(Cavan-Monaghan): The dispute arose out of the appointment of a fishery inspector.
Have the fishery board not in fact sought the permission of the Department to create an additional post in the board area? Has this fishery board not informed the Minister that if he agreed to this it would, in their view, bring about a quick ending to the strike?
(Cavan-Monaghan): It is not correct to say that the board sought the approval of my Department for the appointment of an extra inspector. The Deputy and the House may take it that I am very conscious of the desirability of bringing this strike to an end.
Would the Minister indicate his personal preference for a career structure for the employees concerned in view of the fact that they are seeking an adequate career structure? Will the Minister indicate that he would favour that?
(Cavan-Monaghan): While I would like to answer the Deputy's question, if I were to express a preference now I would regard that as a direct interference or participation in the dispute which I do not think is desirable at this time.