Vol. 566 No. 1
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Dáil Éireann debate - Wednesday, 7 May 2003
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Written Answers. - Fishing Licences.
372 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reason the price of salmon licences for anglers increased by 73% in 2003; the consultations which took place in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11544/03]
On the recommendation of National Fisheries Managers Executive – fisheries boards managers – and endorsed by the National Salmon Commission, which includes representatives of salmon angling interests, the price of salmon rod licences increased from 1 January 2003. As I previously indicated to the House in my reply of 15 April 2003, the annual salmon rod ordinary licence duties were last increased in 1988, while the cost of district, 21-day, one-day and juvenile licences were last increased in 1992. It is my intention that in the future these duties will be adjusted annually in line with the consumer price index.
Our fisheries boards provide valuable services to the inland fisheries sector and it is vital that they be assisted in developing their own resource income sources to support their operations. All of the additional revenues to be raised by the increase will be spent by the fisheries boards on the maintenance and protection of fish habitats and stocks and promotion of the inland fisheries resource.
