asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will make a statement on recent events relating to the Waterville trout hatchery, County Kerry, including a recent conviction for impeding the passage of salmon, and the deaths of fingerling trout at that hatchery.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Kerry Trout Hatchery.
26.
The death of trout in this hatchery on 17th September, 1966, is being investigated by the Garda Síochána with the assistance of my Department. As legal proceedings may follow, there is nothing further I can say at this stage.
The company concerned was recently fined a total of £135 and ordered to pay 75 guineas costs and £21 expenses for breaches of the fishery laws relating to free passage of salmon and trout.
Does the Minister not feel this is a very serious matter and one on which a public statement should be made as soon as possible?
Which?
The whole composite matter, the fact that fingerlings were destroyed or met their death in great numbers, and the fact that there was an impeding of salmon of which some people have been found guilty.
There are two different things involved here. One is the legal proceedings which were taken against this company by the local board of conservators. The other is the question of the apparent poisoning of fingerlings in a trout farm. The latter matter is the subject of an investigation by the Garda and it would be completely inappropriate, and indeed improper, for me to comment on it at this stage.
Will the Minister undertake to comment as soon as he feels it would be appropriate for him to do so?
Yes.