asked the Minister for Lands if he will state the exact kind of steps he proposes to take to punish riparian owners if and when they refuse to allow anglers access to their lands, or what steps he proposes to take by way of legislation or otherwise to compel such riparian owners to allow anglers on to their lands.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Riparian Owners: Access to Fishing Waters.
50.
The Deputy is endeavouring to apply my warning to riparian owners generally, whereas I specifically referred to the fact that in the complaints received by me it would appear the public were entitled as of right to fish.
It is my firm belief that in this matter of access by anglers to fishing waters the dictates of common sense, co-operation and good citizenship will prevail. I do not propose to seek any powers by way of compulsion or of penalty against riparian owners.
The Minister is not denying that he used the words that he proposed to take steps to deal with such riparian owners?
The Deputy instead of reading my speech obviously based his question on a mischievous article in a certain Sunday newspaper——
The Minister is quite wrong.
In speaking at the time, I stated: "I trust that common sense, co-operation with the local anglers' club and good citizenship will prevail and that the few isolated instances where this has occurred will disappear." I would also refer the Deputy to something else which I stated: "In the few instances brought to my notice I believe there was no legal basis for the action taken by the people concerned, but owing to the activities of local fishing clubs they suddenly discovered they felt they had something they could exploit for their own personal gain." I am glad to inform the Deputy and the House that my advice was taken and that, in regard to two of the complaints received by me, the parties have now got together and the matter has been settled amicably between them.