Vol. 524 No. 2
103 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources when the promised regulations providing for the tagging of salmon, as recommended by the national salmon commission, will be produced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22032/00]
At its inaugural meeting on 12 April 2000, I invited the national salmon commission as its first priority task to consider and advise me on progressing the national salmon tagging scheme. On the recommendation of the commission I published my notice of intent to make the necessary regulations for the scheme. This triggered a 30 day statutory period for public consultation. At the end of this period the commission recommended that I should sign the regulations as discussed and finalised by the commission and that the effective date for the implementation of tagging should be 1 January 2001. The recommendation of the commission was fully informed by the public consultation process as well as advice to the commission from the central and regional fisheries boards and the Marine Institute.
I was pleased to accept the advice of the commission and I signed the regulations on 11 August. In accordance with the statutory requirement, the regulations were laid before each House of the Oireachtas on 17 August. The regulations provide for the implementation of tagging from 1 January 2001. From that date all commercial and recreational salmon licence holders will be required to tag and record each salmon caught. Tags and logbooks will be available free of charge.
During the course of the settling of the regulations by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel my Department was advised that it would be legally preferable to make provision in primary legislation for offences and penalties relating to the tagging scheme. This was confirmed by the Attorney General.
On foot of this advice, amending primary legislation is needed before year end to provide for offences and penalties. The Government has already approved the drafting of this short Bill and the detailed drafting is being finalised. I will be seeking the approval of the Government of the text of the Bill very shortly with a view to its publication and introduction in the Oireachtas without delay. The tight timeframe is essential in order to ensure the successful introduction of the national salmon tagging scheme from 1 January next.
