Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 19 Mar 1997

Vol. 476 No. 5

Written Answers - Fishing Rights.

Eoin Ryan

Question:

231 Mr. E. Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the income from the fisheries upstream of the estuarial fisheries on the Owenduff River, Ballycroy, and the Owenmore River, Bangor Erris, County Mayo, which are owned and let by the Land Commission on leases; the terms and conditions under which these leases are let; if he will give details of the nature of the agreement dated 14 July 1989, under which the beneficial interest in all fisheries and fishing rights vested in the Land Commission was transferred to the Central Fisheries Board; the meaning of beneficial interest in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7335/97]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. Yates)

My Department has no information relating to the income from the letting of fisheries or fishing rights as stated in my reply to the Deputy's question of Tuesday 4 March.

The agreement of 14 July 1989 to give the beneficial interest in the fisheries and fishing rights to the Central Fisheries Board was to be followed through by the vesting or the reservation of such rights in the CFB through the enactment of section 5 of the Irish Land Commission (Dissolution) Act. The commencement order for this Act has yet to be signed for legal reasons related to ongoing litigation.

Under the 1989 arrangement the Central Fisheries Board is managing the fisheries concerned and would be entitled to any income deriving therefrom.