asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is aware that a bye-law made pursuant to section 10 of the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act, 1959 as amended by section 33 of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 1962 and published on 19th March, 1966 affecting fishing on the Owenmore and Owenduff rivers will result in the unemployment of 40 persons; and if he will review the situation so as to avoid such unemployment.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mayo Fishery Bye-Law.
70.
I am not so aware. The persons who have been employed as netsmen in the combined estuaries of the Owenmore and Owenduff Rivers were employees of a fishery company operating by virtue of a claim to a several or exclusive fishery. The bye-law of 11th March, 1966, does not apply to fishing by the owner of a several fishery within the limits thereof and if the persons in question cease to be employed it will not be as a result of the bye-law.
I hasten to assure the Minister that the disemployment of 40 persons will result from this and if the marking were moved, say, about 880 yards up river, certainly in the case of the Owenmore, it would obviate a considerable amount of the unemployment foreshadowed.
That is not my information. The idea of the order is to create sanctuaries so that there will not be public invasion. There is nothing to prevent the fishery company operating outside these sanctuaries. My information is that some of the netsmen concerned propose to fish on their own accord inside the fishing limits but outside the sanctuary.
Some are fishing outside the fishing limits and some inside, in pursuance of a claim against the present owner. I understand that there are certain negotiations going on arising out of a High Court action and that it probably will be settled. That would probably mean that the Minister will have added responsibility in the matter if the settlement is on the lines I have heard. In those circumstances, my information is that if the proposed sanctuary limits were moved 880 yards up river it would obviate much of the trouble contemplated. I am not quite certain about the position on the Owenduff river but I know in all there are eight boats involved of five men each. Would the Minister be good enough to have another look into that?
I shall have another look at it.