Vol. 488 No. 5
56 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the reason Salmara Fisheries Ltd. failed to comply with the terms of its licence from the ESB in relation to restocking Lough Allen with trout for each of the years 1993 to 1995. [6738/98]
57 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the conditions in relation to the Gaelic Seafoods Ltd. licence on Lough Allen; if they are obliged to stock Lough Allen with 3,000 yearlings and 10,000 fry each year; and if this is a requirement of the contract. [6739/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 56 and 57 together.
The authorisation held by Gaelic Seafoods Ltd., under the Fisheries Acts in respect of salmon smolt production in Lough Allen does not include any legal provision in relation to trout restocking nor does the planning permission granted by Leitrim County Council for those operations (in the name of Salmara Fisheries Ltd., which subsequently sold its fish farming operations to Gaelic Seafoods Ltd.). Any working arrangements by Salmara (a subsidiary of the ESB) to facilitate trout restocking programmes on Lough Allen by the ESB (which has particular fisheries responsibilities in relation to the Shannon catchment generally) would have been a matter between Salmara and the ESB itself.
I am advised that the ESB carried out some juvenile trout restocking in Lough Allen last year. I have asked the Department to follow up with the ESB and the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board on the plans, and scope, for future restocking programmes and I will arrange to have the Deputy kept informed of developments.
