I propose to answer Questions Nos. 11 and 35 together.
The detailed information on rod licence sales in 1988 is contained in the attached schedules, which have been already given to the Deputy.
The alterations I made in the licence fees for 1989 as compared with 1988 were as follows: the composite licence was reduced from £40 to £25, the 21 day salmon licence was reduced from £21 to £10, and the 21 day trout licence was reduced from £10 to £5.
These changes resulted from wide ranging consultations I had with the fishery boards, angling groups and tourist interests including Bord Fáilte. The purpose of the changes was to simplify the licensing structure and to remove anomalies which had emerged in the cost of the short term licences which were adversely affecting tourist angling.
The purpose of reducing the composite licence was to move in the direction of simplifying the licensing structure. I made this change on the basis of a very strong case made to me that the licence categories should, as far as possible, be rolled together into the one licence.
As regards the short term rates, it was strongly argued by tourist interests that the level of the previous fees might inhibit the tourist or casual angler who wished to avail of only one or two days' fishing.
I have always said that I would adopt a flexible approach to the licensing issue provided the principles were not infringed. In making the changes which I made, I demonstrated in a very tangible fashion that I am prepared to respond reasonably to well reasoned and balanced arguments by anglers who are prepared to pursue their case in a reasonable manner.
Following are the schedules:
SCHEDULE
Rod Licence Revenue.
|
1987
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salmon
|
Voluntary
|
1987
|
1988
|
|
|
Board
|
Licences
|
Registration
|
Total
|
Sales
|
Increase
|
%
|
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
|
Eastern
|
37,566
|
2,489
|
40,055
|
91,779
|
51,724
|
+129
|
Southern
|
23,244
|
1,330
|
24,574
|
50,095
|
25,521
|
+104
|
South-Western
|
19,504
|
10,880
|
30,384
|
47,215
|
16,831
|
+55
|
Shannon
|
16,185
|
5,890
|
22,075
|
45,256
|
23,181
|
+105
|
Western
|
21,717
|
181
|
21,898
|
51,663
|
29,765
|
+136
|
North-Western
|
27,152
|
256
|
27,408
|
62,774
|
35,366
|
+129
|
Northern
|
25,506
|
550
|
26,056
|
47,521
|
21,465
|
+82
|
Total
|
170,874
|
21,576
|
192,450
|
396,303
|
203,853
|
+106
|
Breakdown of Yield.
|
1987
|
1988
|
|
1987
|
1988
|
|
|
Salmon Licences
|
Salmon Licences
|
%
|
Voluntary Contributions
|
New Licences†
|
%
|
Total
|
170,874
|
247,643
|
+45
|
21,576
|
148,660
|
+589
|
† Composite, coarse and trout licences.
Sales of Rod Angling Licences in 1988
|
A: £25
|
B: £15
|
O: £10
|
R: £21
|
S: £10
|
T: £15
|
P: £40
|
Regional Fisheries Board
|
Salmon Annual
|
Trout Annual
|
Coarse Fish Annual
|
Salmon 21 day
|
Trout 21 day
|
Coarse 21 day
|
Composite
|
Number
|
Value
|
Number
|
Value
|
Number
|
Value
|
Number
|
Value
|
Number
|
Value
|
Number
|
Value
|
Number
|
Value
|
Eastern
|
1,452
|
36,300
|
1,225
|
18,375
|
540
|
5,400
|
49
|
1,029
|
59
|
590
|
1,665
|
8,325
|
544
|
21,760
|
Southern
|
1,099
|
27,475
|
402
|
6,030
|
66
|
660
|
400
|
8,400
|
141
|
1,410
|
104
|
520
|
140
|
5,600
|
South-Western
|
1,189
|
29,725
|
433
|
6,492
|
2
|
20
|
325
|
6,825
|
330
|
3,330
|
10
|
50
|
20
|
800
|
Shannon
|
754
|
18,850
|
925
|
13,875
|
181
|
1,810
|
26
|
546
|
152
|
1,520
|
547
|
2,735
|
148
|
5,920
|
Western
|
806
|
20,150
|
123
|
1,845
|
16
|
160
|
1,048
|
22,008
|
234
|
2,340
|
120
|
600
|
114
|
4,560
|
North-Western
|
1,332
|
33,300
|
258
|
3,870
|
23
|
230
|
629
|
13,209
|
256
|
2,560
|
33
|
165
|
236
|
9,440
|
Northern
|
1,049
|
26,225
|
232
|
3,480
|
88
|
880
|
93
|
1,953
|
153
|
1,530
|
1,659
|
8,295
|
86
|
3,440
|
Total
|
7,681
|
192,025
|
3,598
|
53,967
|
916
|
9,160
|
2,570
|
53,970
|
1,325
|
13,280
|
4,138
|
20,690
|
1,288
|
51,520
|
Foyle Area Extensions X, W and Y
|
Special Locals
|
X: £10
|
W: £17
|
Y: £30
|
£5
|
£21
|
Trout
|
Salmon
|
Composite
|
Salmon
|
Salmon
|
Number
|
Value
|
Number
|
Value
|
Number
|
Value
|
Number
|
Value
|
Number
|
Value
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
10
|
71
|
1,207
|
2
|
60
|
11
|
231
|
42
|
210
|
1
|
10
|
71
|
1,207
|
2
|
60
|
11
|
231
|
42
|
210
|