Vol. 118 No. 3
I move:
That Seanad Éireann approves the following Order in draft:
Salmon, Eel and Oyster (Miscellaneous Commercial Licences) (Alteration of Duties) Order, 1987,
a copy of which Order in draft was laid before Seanad Éireann on the 19th day of November, 1987.
For the benefit of Deputies I feel it is necessary to give some background——
Senators.
I may possibly be referring to prospective Deputies from the sound of it.
I like it.
I honestly thought it was the only Christmas present I could give to the Senators but I can assure them that it will not happen in 1988 or 1989.
Under sections 68 and 279 of the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act, 1959, as amended, the Minister for the Marine is empowered to make an order altering salmon, eel and oyster fishing licences and by sections 159 and 160, as amended, of the same Act to alter by order the duties payable on salmon dealers' and salmon exporters' licences. The order may not be made, however, until a resolution approving a draft of the order has been passed by Dáil Éireann and by Seanad Éireann.
Commercial salmon, eel and oyster fishing licence duties were last increased with effect from 1 January 1985. I am satisfied that an increase in these licence duties is warranted from 1 January 1988 in the light of the rate of inflation in the meantime and to provide some additional revenue for the fisheries boards. In the majority of cases the proposed increases are up to 20 per cent. An increase of 20 per cent may sound alarming but if we look at the actual increases they give a different picture. In the case of two licences, however, pole nets and loop nets, the present price charged is extremely low. I am, therefore, proposing to increase them by 30 per cent and 100 per cent, respectively. This is relevant only in relation to the basic licence.
Even with these increases the pole net licence will cost only £50 and the loop net licence only £10. Salmon dealers' and salmon exporters' licence fees were last increased on 1 January 1983 and there has been no increase in the past five years. Increases in these fees have been substantial in previous years; they were increased from £1 to £25 in 1981. Dealers' licence fees were increased from £25 to £50 and exporters' licence fees were increased from £50 to £200 in 1983. It was decided not to increase the fees from 1 January 1985. I now propose to increase them by 20 per cent and 25 per cent respectively with effect from 1 January next.
Income this year from commercial fishing licence fees, duties and salmon dealers' and salmon exporters' licence fees will amount to £217,000 approximately. The increase in these duties and fees, which I am providing for in the draft order, will generate approximately £33,000, bringing the total income from all these licences to approximately £250,000. That is the total expected revenue for 1988. While some fishermen, salmon dealers and salmon exporters may feel aggrieved at having to pay more for their licences next year, I would ask them to bear in mind that £4.77 million is being provided in 1988 towards inland fishery development.
Accordingly I recommend to the House that the resolution approving the draft order be passed.
May I ask the Minister if there is any relationship between this Item, No. 4 and Item No. 5 on the Order Paper or is it coincidental that this matter is being taken before Item No. 5 which is the Fisheries (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 1987?
There is absolutely no relationship between the two items. As the Deputy has said, it is completely coincidental that both items are being taken on the one day. It was necessary that they should be brought before the House before the end of this term. Otherwise they could not come into effect on 1 January 1988 and problems could arise if both matters were not approved by the House before then.
