asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is prepared to take steps to ensure, if necessary by the introduction of proposals for legislation, that private interests in relation to salmon and eel fishing in the Corrib will be bought out.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Corrib Salmon and Eel Fishing.
Section 35 of the Fisheries Act, 1939, provides for restrictions on the use of nets in fresh water and the transfer to the State of certain commercial fisheries referred to in the Act as "transferable" fisheries is provided for under Part V. The use of nets in fresh water has been prohibited as from the 1st January, 1948, on a compensatory basis. The necessary Order bringing Part V of the Act into operation has not, however, yet been made.
The reply that the Minister has given me has nothing at all to do with the question I put down. I asked the Minister would he take steps to see that private interests in relation to salmon and eel fishing in the Corrib will be bought out—taken over by the State. Is the Minister aware that very extensive salmon fishing is available in Galway? This is in the hands of a private individual who is not making the full use of those rights in view of their extensive nature and their benefits to the State. Will he not consider taking over those interests and utilising them for the benefit of the people?
I am afraid it is the Deputy who does not know what question he asked. He asked me to buy the interests in relation to salmon and eel fishing. The first part of my reply refers to eel and the second part to salmon. Part V of the Act to which I have referred is that under which legislative provision is made to acquire the salmon fisheries any time it is deemed expedient to do so. As the Deputy is well aware, we have already acquired the Erne fishery and, recently, the Foyle fishery. The question of proceeding to lay out sums of from £100-£1,000-£2,500 for acquiring additional fisheries of this kind is surely a matter of expediency. It can be done at any time but whether it is wise to concentrate the whole resources of the Department of Fisheries, already heavily taxed, on buying out these other fisheries instanter is, I suggest to the Deputy, purely a matter of expediency about which there may legitimately be differences of opinion.
Mr. Bartley rose.
Question No. 31.