asked the Minister for Agriculture if his attention has been directed to the almost complete destruction of the salmon fishing at the mouth of the River Liffey; if he is aware that there is reason to believe that such destruction is due to the Liffey water and hydro-electric schemes; further, if he is aware that a considerable number of people in Ringsend and Irishtown were largely dependent for their livelihood on such fishing, and that serious loss has been caused to them by the destruction of the fishing; and if he will state whether any provision exists for compensating such people for their loss.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - River Liffey Salmon Fishing.
I am aware that the Liffey, in common with other rivers, has experienced a poor run of salmon during the past two seasons, with consequent reduction of the earnings of persons engaged in netting for that fish. As, however, the salmon running during that period would be the progeny of fish which had ascended the river some time before the Liffey water and hydro-electric schemes came into operation, any reduction in their numbers as compared with the runs of previous years must be attributed to causes other than the working of these schemes.