asked the Minister for Lands why the fishing rights on the Owengarve river were not leased to the Newport Anglers' Club; and if he will state the price paid for the lease of the fishing rights on this river.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fishing Rights on Owengarve (Mayo) River.
When these fishing rights were advertised by the Land Commission in accordance with the usual conditions governing the letting of State property, as being available for renting for the 1957 season, an application by the Newport Anglers' Club was amongst the offers received for a lease. The rent offered by the successful applicant, however, exceeded that tendered by the club. It is not the practice to disclose details of a lease granted by the Land Commission without the permission of the lessee.
Would the Minister state if the amount of the successful tender was substantially higher than that offered by the Newport Anglers' Club?
I am afraid, without——
I am not asking for a figure.
I do not intend giving a figure.
I am sure not.
I find it rather difficult to say whether it could be regarded as substantial or otherwise. Let us say it falls in between what you would regard as substantial and insubstantial.
Is it or is it not the policy in the letting of fisheries of this character, which are the property of the State, to give a preference to local angling societies over tenders made by persons from elsewhere?
I am afraid I cannot give the Deputy any reply on that matter, but I should think that that is so. I should like to add that, as far as I can understand, the present lessee is the person who has had the rights by lease over the past ten years.
May I remind the Minister that that would apply to Oliver Cromwell, but that does not make it any the better? I would be glad, at the Minister's convenience, if he could let us know whether this quasi-substantial differential was sufficient to displace the ordinary preference that would be given to a local angling society over an outsider.