asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that the Ballyshannon fishermen allege that the E.S.B. has ruined the salmon fishing in the estuary of the Erne; and if, in view of the fact that the livelihood of many families may be affected, he will have the matter investigated with a view to having conciliatory action taken.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Erne Estuary Salmon Fishing.
I have been informed by the E.S.B. that there are no grounds for this allegation. The board's view is that the reduced run on salmon was due to the unrestricted exercise of the public right of fishing in the estuary between 1946 and 1949 for which the board cannot be held responsible.
While, as indicated above, I have made inquiries in this matter, I must make it clear that the operation of the Erne generating stations is in performance of the statutory obligations and functions imposed on the E.S.B. and is, therefore, a matter in which I have no function and no authority to intervene.
Is the Minister aware the statistics show that the number of salmon going up the pass from the estuary to the dam was considerably depleted last year and will he not undertake to get the views of the fishermen in the case?
I have no statutory functions and no power to interfere in this matter. The function of generating electricity and doing the ancillary things which flow from that is imposed on the E.S.B. by statute.
Is the Minister further aware that it is not an uncommon thing to have dead salmon removed from the pass which is used for bringing the salmon from the estuary to the dam? Would he not consider it necessary to make inquiries with a view to having some suitable type of pass constructed? After all, the livelihood of many fishermen is at stake.
Following the Deputy's last question, I caused this matter to be discussed with the E.S.B. to see if such intervention might produce the desired results, but there appears to be a complete conflict of views between the fishermen and the E.S.B. The fishermen contend that the E.S.B. by releasing floodwaters are damaging the fishing. The E.S.B., on the other hand, contend that the difficulty is caused by the fact that the estuary is being over-fished by the fishermen and they are now paying for the over-fishing of the previous years.