Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 6 Apr 2006

Vol. 617 No. 6

Priority Questions.

Fisheries Protection.

John Perry

Question:

1 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if, further to his recent announcement that anglers now have a ten fish quota for the 2006 angling season with an all district total limit of 15,000 fish as per the scientific advice, the rule will still be in place which dictates that one fish can be caught by anglers per day to June first and three fish per day after that date; if compulsory catch and release will be implemented once 15,000 fish have been caught; the way in which the fishery boards will know when 15,000 fish have been caught; the way in which these measures will be policed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13604/06]

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Browne)

I apologise for the absence of the Minister due to a family bereavement.

The National Salmon Commission, informed by the National Fishery Managers Executive, has recommended that total wild salmon exploitation in 2006 should not exceed 106,367, with 91,367 allocated to the commercial sector and 15,000 to angling, thereby fully complying with the national conservation limits established by its standing scientific committee.

I am advised by the fisheries boards that the total angling catch will be controlled primarily in two ways, by a reduction in the annual bag limit from 20 to ten fish and the imposition of mandatory catch and release in eight of the 17 fishery districts from the month of September.

I intend, by means of amendments to the Conservation of Salmon and Sea Trout By-law, No. 797, 2004, to limit the number of fish which can be caught per day to one per day until June and three per day until the end of September, subject to the maximum annual bag limit of ten fish. Once anglers have used all their tags they will be required to cease fishing.

I intend, by making a further by-law, to introduce compulsory catch and release from 1 September in eight identified fishery districts that are not meeting conservation limits. These are Dundalk, Drogheda, Dublin, Wexford, Waterford, Shannon, Galway and Sligo. The fisheries managers have argued that there is an absolute need to conserve stocks in those districts. Given that commercial fishing ceases in the majority of districts on 31 July, they maintain that there is no reason that anglers should continue to kill fish up to the end of September.

I am advised that enforcement will be undertaken in the normal way through fisheries officers checking individual anglers for compliance. The fisheries boards are exploring opportunities to develop and enhance their protection regime, making use of modern technology and management methods, including the assessment of district-based quotas for the angling sector.

While I am relying on the assurances given by both the commercial fishing interests and angling representatives that they are fully committed to all measures associated with the conservation and protection of our valuable wild salmon stocks, I have, nevertheless, asked the fisheries boards to ensure that the new quotas are fully enforced. The fisheries boards will continue to monitor the fishery and I have asked them to keep me advised of necessary measures in the course of the season to ensure compliance.

Mr. Perry

It is no wonder that there is a significant degree of conflict between the commercial fishermen and anglers, given the difficulties, despite the best intentions, in regulating the angling sector. Will the Minister of State indicate how many licences were issued in 2005?

If one looks at the situation with the River Slaney in County Wexford, only 376 salmon can be fished. There are 75 draft net fishermen on that river who, in effect, can only catch five salmon. With regard to anglers, there is no control whatsoever. An angler can buy ten tags in one district and a further ten in another district. The word of the angler has to be accepted that he or she has not bought tags previously. There is no central control system. Potentially, up to 21,000 licences will be on sale this year. If that figure is multiplied by ten, that would amount to 210,000 salmon, whereas the quota for anglers is 15,000.

Mr. Browne

I have read the reports of the National Salmon Commission and met the chairman. I have also met the fisheries managers, groups of drift net, draft net and snap net fishermen and anglers from all over the country. There is general agreement that stocks must be conserved. There was also a general agreement that we would accept the recommendations of the commission this year, even though the 2006 figures are slightly higher than what was recommended by the scientists. Next year we intend to move fully to the scientific figures, which will have further serious implications.

I am aware of the situation on the River Slaney and the people in that area are not too happy with the fact that I am going to sign off on a decision that will mean they will be very limited in the number of fish they can catch. However, we must also take into account that while we have 21,000 anglers, a significant number of them do not fish or catch no fish. Furthermore, a certain number of the draft net, drift net and snap net fishermen do not fish.

The decisions we have taken for this year will have to be fully complied with. The Minister and I will meet the fisheries board managers in the next two weeks to discuss serious enforcement and ensure that the 15,000 and 91,000 limits are fully observed.

Mr. Perry

We are all in favour of the conservation of stocks and I am aware that the Minister has appointed a team to carry out an evaluation. However, if one wants to ensure fairness between commercial fishermen and anglers, the number of tags issued by the Department must be controlled. At present, there is no methodology whatsoever to regulate the number of tags sold or to prevent anglers buying multiple tags. In effect, if they so wished, anglers could buy 50 tags and there is nothing to prevent them from doing so. A system should be set up whereby anglers are given a registered number which is stored on a database and available to all tag outlets.

Mr. Browne

Nationally, 106,000 tags will be issued this year. That takes into account commercial fishermen and anglers. Like the Deputy, I have heard anecdotal evidence of the abuses to which Deputy Perry refers. For that reason, we will meet the fisheries board managers in two weeks' time to determine how we can strictly enforce the limits. We may look at new ways of doing so and perhaps take on board some of the Deputy's suggestions. We will also examine the utilisation of modern technology with regard to the issuing of licences, checking log books and so forth. There is much ambiguity which must be cleared up and I am determined to do that. I have been three weeks in this post. A decision has been made and I hope that we will get the support of the anglers and commercial fishermen this year. However, as in every walk of life, some people will want to break the law but we will take action against them.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

2 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will provide details of the recent adoption of the recommendations of the National Salmon Commission; what the quota reductions will be; what will happen to salmon stocks after 2006; the remit of the three-person independent group to examine the implications, especially the financial ones, of the new regulations for the commercial sector in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13603/06]

Mr. Browne

I announced on 24 March that I had decided to adopt the recommendations made to me by the National Salmon Commission with regard to the total allowable salmon catch for 2006. This will involve reductions in the quota available to commercial fishermen and anglers in 2006. In doing so, I have also reaffirmed the Government's commitment to fully align with the scientific advice provided on the management of the wild salmon fishery by 2007.

Accepting the recommendations of the National Salmon Commission and the National Fishery Managers Executive, the total allowable catch in 2006 will be 91,367 for the commercial sector and 15,000 for angling, fully complying with the national conservation limits established by the standing scientific committee. These reductions in overall fishing effort are required to sustain and rebuild wild salmon stocks nationwide.

I propose to amend the Conservation of Salmon and Sea Trout By-law, No. 797, 2004, to restrict the annual angling bag limit to ten fish per angler for 2006. While the National Salmon Commission had recommended a limit of 15 fish per angler, I believe the lower level to be necessary to contain the total harvest by anglers to 15,000 fish, given that there has been no appreciable reduction in the average angling catch in the last five years and in the interest of balanced treatment of all stakeholders.

I intend to introduce a new by-law to provide for the introduction of compulsory catch and release from 1 September in eight identified fishery districts that are not meeting conservation limits. The fisheries managers have argued that there is an absolute need to conserve stocks in those districts.

I recognise the considerable efforts made by the commercial fishing industry in recent years to build a sustainable fishery and it has endured large cuts in the quotas available to it. I realise that these reductions have caused the industry difficulty and that full alignment with the scientific advice will probably compound these problems. For these reasons, I have decided to appoint an independent group to examine the implications of the new regulations for the commercial sector in 2007 and beyond and to make recommendations on the options available to address any financial hardship that may arise. The group will also determine the extent to which those stakeholders deriving economic benefit from the decision should contribute to any scheme, whether in cash or in kind, including improved tourist access.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House.

I have also accepted the National Salmon Commission's recommendation that measures should be considered to deal with the exploitation of multi-sea winter salmon stocks, including consideration of the length of the angling season. The fisheries managers, having considered the scientific advice, will identify appropriate measures in time for application in spring 2007. The scientists will also be asked to tender advice on the management of sea trout stocks over the coming months.

The standing scientific committee has indicated that mixed stock fisheries pose particular threats to the status of individual stocks and that fisheries operated in estuaries and rivers are more likely to fulfil national and international obligations. In this context, the National Fishery Managers Executive has identified a range of pilot projects to facilitate the commercial fishery to move from areas of indiscriminate mixed stock fishery exploitation. The feasibility of these projects will be evaluated by the Department in conjunction with the fisheries boards and the Marine Institute with a view to their implementation in 2007 and beyond.

Mr. Broughan

The scientific advice was released towards the end of January of this year and the narrow decision of the National Salmon Commission followed some weeks later. There is much confusion among fishermen, anglers and in fishing communities as to what will happen in 2007. The Minister of State stated the TAC for 2006 is 91,000, which is disappointing to many such as those in the Stopnow campaign. What will happen in 2007? Is the Minister of State indicating that commercial fishing for wild salmon will stop in 2007? Is there any intention to put in more salmon counters, given that there is not enough information on stocks?

Has a division of the single stock management for salmon, the precautionary principle, as articulated in the report of the Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, been introduced? An expert group comprising Padraic White, Professor Collins and John Malone was appointed. Has the Department made any estimates of the total losses for commercial fishermen? I have seen estimates of €7 million plus. Does the Minister of State have the figures?

Will there be a buy-out in 2007? If so, will it be voluntary or compulsory? Will the same happen to commercial drift net fishermen as happened to Dublin taxi drivers? Will the Government appoint a hardship panel to award certain amounts of money in compensation?

The wild salmon is a key national symbol but we have become a pariah in Europe because of our treatment of our salmon stocks. Everyone wants to see the commercial fishermen treated fairly in whatever mechanism is used. I welcome the establishment of the expert group which will report in August.

Mr. Browne

Over the years figures from €30 million to €150 million have been used in describing the financial implications of banning drift netting. When I returned to the Department in October, it was still an issue. I believed it was time to examine the implications of adopting the scientific advice for 2006. There will be severe hardships on the netmen with a quota of 91,000. There are already severe hardships considering their quota was 250,000. In 2006, the scientific advice was used to base the TAC and it will have serious implications.

The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Noel Dempsey, and I put a proposal to Government for the appointment for a group of three learned men to examine the implications of financial hardship, compensatory measures and implications on coastal communities. It will report in early August with its recommendations. I have asked the group to examine all options, including voluntary and compulsory buy-outs, and the effects on fishing communities.

Mr. Broughan

The group will make a recommendation to the Minister of State which he will follow.

Mr. Browne

It will make a recommendation that will be considered by the Department and will then go to the Government. If a financial recommendation is made, which I expect will happen, it will have to be approved by the Government.

The establishment of the group by the Government means there is an expectation of some monetary compensation. The most recent figure I have been informed of is €30 million. I have not told the independent group of this. Padraic White was involved with the scallop industry. John Malone was involved in drawing up compensatory packages in the farming sector. We should allow the fishing for this year with the TAC of 91,000. By early August we will have the report of the independent group and we can then make strong decisions on 2007.

Telecommunications Services.

Seán Crowe

Question:

3 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his views on whether Eircom needs to be re-nationalised and that the Government’s decision to privatise it in the first place has proved disastrous. [14058/06]

Mr. Browne

The State has no plans to nationalise Eircom infrastructure or regain control of any part of it. The telecoms market is fully liberalised and independently regulated by ComReg in accordance with the EU regulatory framework. This is the case in all EU member states.

Privatisation of Eircom took place against a background of liberalisation of telecoms markets and was part of a broader trend, which was reflected across the EU. Several other former state-owned telecoms companies have either been fully or partially privatised by their governments. The State received over €7 billion when it privatised Eircom in 1999. This provided money to the Exchequer for the public benefit. There is no guarantee that a State-owned Eircom would provide better competition, services or innovation in our fully liberalised telecoms market.

Mr. Crowe

I note the Minister used terms such as "liberalisation". I take it the drift will continue in the provision of telecommunications services. Eircom was floated on the Stock Exchange and then was sold to a consortium which asset-stripped it. Those involved paid themselves a €500 million dividend based on borrowing. It refused to invest in the national broadband roll out or a €1 billion upgrade of the network. The consortium then decided to sell on the company on the Stock Exchange.

An Ceann Comhairle

Does the Deputy have a question?

Mr. Crowe

Will the Minister of State accept that the sale of Eircom was a disaster? A few people made themselves very rich, most notably Sir Tony O'Reilly, while the telecommunications infrastructure has been neglected and is in decay. How is it proposed to rectify the mistake of privatising Eircom? Will the Minister re-nationalise the company? Does he want to take a strategic interest as to what is happening in the telecommunications sector?

Has the Minister examined the National Pensions Reserve Fund being allowed to invest in the company's network? Those individuals involved in buying-out the company did not give a damn about our knowledge-based economy and the roll out of broadband. Ireland's telecommunications infrastructure is languishing behind those of other countries in Europe. While we hold ourselves up as greatly advanced in our telecommunications, we are the laughing stock of Europe. People in Galway have difficulties in getting e-mail services. Will the Minister rely on the market and these private investors who are more interested in profit than the public good?

Mr. Browne

There are no plans to re-nationalise Eircom. There are some problems with Eircom services in every constituency. It is useful to reflect on the positive elements of the telecoms sector by examining ComReg's latest quarterly data, covering Q4 of 2005. It shows the telecoms sector in Ireland employs about 14,500 people and is worth around €4 billion. For fixed calls Ireland is better than the EU average for both national and international calls for residential and business customers. Ireland has a mobile telephone penetration rate of 102%, which shows the appetite of consumers for these types of services and the variety of mobile services in the market including 3G services. The Irish broadband market more than doubled in 2005, more than twice the rate of growth of the EU broadband market.

Mr. Crowe

We are coming from a low ebb on that. Considering the sell-off of Aer Lingus is being mooted, why did the State not hold on to this strategic share? Was it because that was part of the agreement with Sir Tony O'Reilly who made huge profits from the company? Was it simply left to the private sector to roll out broadband? Was there any particular reason why the Government abandoned the development of telecommunication services after investing so much money and time through the years?

Mr. Browne

In 1999, the Government decided to sell off Eircom and took in €7 billion. I am certainly not in the pocket of Tony O'Reilly. I never met the man and do not know him. He would not influence me one way of the other.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

4 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the concern expressed about the long drawn out delivery of broadband services here and the resultant economic consequences; if he, directly or through the regulator, will identify the cause or causes for the delay; if his attention has further been drawn to the critical nature of the report on broadband drawn up by the Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources; if he has proposals or intends to issue instructions to address the issues raised in the report; his proposals to increase the number of service providers in this area with a view to accelerated delivery of services; if he has studied or identified implications for the industry such as local loop unbundling in the event of a sale or takeover of Eircom; if his attention has further been drawn to the urgent need for investment in telecommunications infrastructure; his views on the State re-entering this market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14056/06]

Mr. Browne

The development and roll-out of broadband technology is primarily a matter for the industry in a fully liberalised market. However, broadband providers in Ireland were slow in launching competitive, affordable broadband. The delays in broadband roll-out can be attributed to the lack of competition between providers and the reduction in investment in infrastructure in the aftermath of the dotcom crash.

The report to which the Deputy refers has been examined in some detail. It recognises that availability is improving rapidly. The latest quarterly data report from ComReg on delivery rates indicates that broadband subscriptions increased by 103% from December 2004 to December 2005 and now stand at 270,700. The current level of take-up is consistent with the stage of development of the market.

The report recognises that the roll-out of broadband infrastructure in rural areas needs to be maintained. The Government's regional broadband programme is tackling supply side issues and was a direct response to the lack of investment by the private sector. High-speed, open-access metropolitan area networks, MANs, are being constructed on a phased basis in association with the local and regional authorities. Phase one of this programme has delivered fibre-optic networks to 27 towns and cities. This programme has been extended to more than 90 towns nationwide. These metropolitan area networks allow the private sector to offer world-class broadband services at competitive costs.

According to the report, one of the biggest challenges for the Government is demand or take-up, and Ireland continues to lag behind its OECD partners in this area. Earlier this year, my Department initiated a consultation process to examine the level of demand for broadband services in the Irish market, which concluded in March. The discussion document touched on key demand factors for consumers and asked for possible examples of demand measures by Government and industry, if any are necessary. More than 100 responses were received and a wide range of issues were raised which are being examined by officials in the Department for further action.

The third conclusion is that Ireland requires strong competition in the market to maintain economic competitiveness. In 2004, there were more than 80 Internet service providers while today there are more than 150 such companies with at least 45 different broadband offerings. The use of fixed wireless local access is increasing, especially in rural areas that cannot obtain ADSL connectivity. In addition, the development of wi-max offers considerable potential for the future.

Mr. Durkan

Delays have been experienced in the provision of broadband but did the Minister take any action about them? At least three years ago, the then Minister had discussions with a number of market providers in various communications areas with a view to establishing an accelerated programme. Why was some action not taken at that time, given that the alarm bells had begun to ring? Will the Minister of State indicate to what extent he and the Government have identified the causes of the delays and set about remedying them? The joint committee's report is a damning indictment of the process of providing broadband in this country. It compares most unfavourably with the dramatic results achieved in other jurisdictions in a shorter time by doing some of the things the Minister and his Department refused to do.

Will the Minister indicate whether the number of potential service providers could be increased? What obstructions caused them to remain outside the market and can they be dealt with? To what extent is the Minister willing to examine local loop unbundling and other issues associated with market dominance? Economists have suggested it is vital for the State to have some control over elements of the telecommunications infrastructure, otherwise it will not be possible to meet future requirements.

Mr. Browne

Some 18.7% of households have broadband. Obviously, there are some roadblocks and the Minister initiated a discussion document in this regard. As I indicated, more than 100 responses were received which are being reviewed by officials in the Department to see how some of the roadblocks can be lifted.

The 27 MANs projects have now been handed over to the people who will manage them. In addition, 575 communities in the group broadband scheme, which is being rolled out, will cover a population of 420,000. The Minister is examining how we can speed up implementation of the broadband project.

The Deputy referred to the privatisation of certain areas. It must be borne in mind, however, that as regards all the broadband areas in which the Government has invested, including the MANs project and the rural areas project, the infrastructure will remain within the Department's control. While people will be allowed to operate the system, the actual infrastructure will be under the control of the Department.

Deputy Crowe raised an important issue earlier. The Eircoms of this world were not prepared to become actively involved in infrastructural development for broadband. The Government decided to do that through the Department and as a result, we have had huge investment in the schools, MANs and rural broadband projects. All that infrastructure will remain under the control of the Department.

Mr. Durkan

Lucky Luke.

Paddy McHugh

Question:

5 Mr. McHugh asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his plans to provide fibre-optic broadband to serve the hub town of Tuam, County Galway, in order that the town is provided with a world-class broadband service to enable it achieve its potential as envisaged under the national spatial strategy. [14060/06]

Mr. Browne

The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter in the first instance for the private sector companies operating in a fully liberalised market. The Department's regional broadband programme is addressing the infrastructural deficit by building high-speed, open access broadband networks in association with the local and regional authorities. Some 27 metropolitan area networks, MANs, have been completed on time and under budget under phase one of the MANs programme. These completed networks are being managed independently for the State by Enet, the management services entity, and offer wholesale open access to all service providers.

In planning the next phase of the MANs programme a review of the availability of DSL broadband in the regions showed that more than 90 towns with a population of 1,500 and more were not being offered a broadband option by the private sector. These towns were selected for investment under phase two of the MANs programme. A number of regional towns, including Tuam, already had DSL broadband on offer from the service providers, so priority was given to the provision of essential broadband infrastructure in those towns where none existed.

Five towns in County Galway will have MANs constructed under this phase: Athenry, Ballinasloe, Clifden, Gort and Loughrea. The detailed design stage is already under way, project managers have been appointed and construction is expected to begin over the coming months. The cost of the projects in Galway is more than €7 million and the Department will provide grant aid of more than €6 million. These networks should be completed within 12 to 18 months thereafter. Tuam is not part of the current roll-out but may be included in further phases subject to the necessary approvals and Exchequer funding being made available.

Galway County Council has submitted a strong case for a MAN project to be built in Tuam and this is being kept under review. Broadband is available in Tuam. The Department's sponsored website, www.broadband.gov.ie, which facilitates consumers trying to locate broadband service providers in their area, lists 12 Internet service providers offering broadband on digital subscriber lines, DSL, one company offering it via wireless, and 11 satellite broadband providers.

The Department also offers funding assistance for smaller towns and rural communities through the county and group broadband scheme. The scheme is technology neutral, allowing the community to select the most suitable broadband delivery platform for the area. To date, a total capital investment of €2.19 million has been made in GBS projects in Galway involving a total of €533,000 in grant aid to implement these projects.

Mr. McHugh

The bottom line here is very simple because Tuam is designated as a hub town in the national spatial strategy. It has also been designated as a RAPID town for growth by Galway County Council. Does the Minister agree that growth cannot happen without fibre optic broadband? In his reply, the Minister of State indicated that Tuam has broadband. That is no excuse. It is like stating Ireland has a road network and then it transpires those roads are boreens in places where dual carriages are required.

Does the Minister of State agree this is a prime example of the disconnection between various Government strategies? The national spatial strategy designated Tuam as a hub town, and decreed that Government and State agencies would tailor and design their policies to underpin the national spatial strategy. In this case we find that Galway County Council made a submission to the Department for six towns in County Galway, five of which were approved. The one not approved was Tuam, which is the only one designated as a hub town in the entire county of Galway. Does the Minister agree that Tuam simply cannot achieve its potential, attract foreign direct investment or develop as envisaged in the national spatial strategy without fibre optic broadband? The Minister of State's Department refuses to allow Tuam to achieve its potential by not granting the installation of fibre optic broadband.

Mr. Browne

The fact that Tuam and other large towns throughout the country, including three in my county, had DSL meant the Minister decided to invest in towns without DSL. It is now acceptable that the MANs programme and networks far exceed the DSL programme. For that reason, towns such as Tuam, Thurles, Shannon, Enniscorthy, Naas and Ennis are being considered by the Department. The capital involved to bring these towns up to the level of a MANs project is approximately €60 million. The Department is in discussions with the Department of Finance to advance this issue.

I accept what the Deputy stated. DSL is inferior in ways and large towns such as the Deputy's need a MANs project. The Department is examining that. The overall cost will be approximately €60 million. We must convince the Minister and the Department of Finance to advance that money to the Department. The phase 2 programme will come to an end shortly and we will strongly push to have a MANs project in Tuam and other towns throughout the country.

Mr. McHugh

Will the Minister of State take the situation in Tuam seriously? I will give an example of how important it is. The IDA invested €3.5 million in the purchase of land and the development of a business technology park in Tuam, which was completed more than two years ago. To this day, not one operation has set up in that park. One of the main reasons is the absence of high-speed broadband technology. Will the Minister of State take that message back to his officials and deal with Tuam as rapidly as possible?

Mr. Browne

I will certainly have discussions with the officials. The Deputy can take it that we are anxious that towns such as Tuam will be brought up to the same status as MANs programme towns. We will put every effort into securing the finances for that.