Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 12 Jun 2001

Vol. 537 No. 5

Written Answers. - Commercial Salmon Fishing.

Ned O'Keeffe

Question:

164 Mr. N. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he will investigate the reason for the refusal of a salmon fishing licence to a person (details supplied) in County Cork on a number of occasions. [17239/01]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Fahey)

Under the fisheries Acts, the regional fisheries boards are responsible for issuing salmon fishing licences. The Southern Regional Fisheries Board informs me that the person concerned was the subject of a consequential disqualification order following conviction for offences under the Fisheries Acts, 1959 to 2000.

The board informs me that, subsequent to the period of disqualification, applications for a drift net licence by the person concerned were considered by the board in accordance with the Control of Fishing for Salmon Orders, 1980 to 1997. The orders set maximum numbers of licences which may be issued by the regional fisheries boards in each fishery district. Under these orders priority is first given to applications from persons who derived a substantial part of their livelihood from fishing for salmon under a licence issued in the previous year. Accordingly, the person concerned is accorded a lower priority which, given the maximum number of licences applicable, has resulted in his application being unsuccessful.