Vol. 449 No. 2
80 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if his approval was sought by Salmara for the disposal of their sea-based fish farm; if this approval was forthcoming; and the price paid to Salmara for these farms. [3443/95]
81 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the value that was placed on fish stock in hand in the sea-based fish farms sold recently by Salmara. [3444/95]
82 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the role he envisages in the future for ESB fish conservation. [3445/95]
83 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a large number of staff currently employed by Salmara were seconded from the ESB originally; and if he will guarantee that, in the event of the sale of Salmara hatcheries, these staff will be reabsorbed into the ESB workforce without any loss of service. [3446/95]
84 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if it is the intention of the ESB to dispose of fish hatcheries currently owned by Salmara; and if so, the role envisaged in this regard for the Central Fisheries Board. [3447/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 to 84 together.
Under the terms of the Government's approval in 1988 for the setting up of ESB subsidiary companies, the consent of the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications and the Minister for Finance is required when the ESB wishes to dispose of the properties and liabilities of any subsidiary company.
The ESB applied for approval to dispose of its four offshore farms in October 1994. In January this year, I gave my consent to the sale and this decision was conveyed to the ESB on 17 January 1995.
The sale of the farms and the smolt rearing at Lough Allen realised £4.5 million. This price reflected the value of the stock in hand when the farms were sold and formed part of the commercial negotiations which led to the sale of the marine farms.
The role of ESB in fisheries conservation will continue. The board has a number of programmes currently under way in the Lee, Shannon, Erne, Clady/Crolly and Liffey catchments. ESB has introduced up to the minute techniques in the fishery management of migratory and non-migratory fish. This fishery conservation programme is carried out with the full involvement of the Department of the Marine, the fishery boards, the Central Fisheries Board and the Universities.
There are a total of 19 ESB seconded staff in Salmara. Staff seconded from ESB to Salmara will retain the same conditions and service terms as ESB employees.
There are no plans at present to dispose of the fish hatcheries which are owned by ESB — any future plans will take account of ESB's statutory responsibility for conservation of fisheries.
