asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if the salmon fishery in the river Blackwater above Navan, County Meath, is in the ownership of the State; if it is intended that it remain in State ownership; and if he will take steps to ensure that it is not damaged or interfered with in any way consequent upon mining operations in the vicinity of Navan or elsewhere.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Blackwater Fishery.
61.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 60 and 61 together.
I will take whatever action is possible to ensure that the pollution provisions of the fishery statutes are enforced in regard to the operations mentioned by the Deputy. I have no powers as regards amenities otherwise.
Some of the fishing rights in the River Blackwater above Navan are under State ownership. Lettings of all such state fisheries are made following advertisement and it is not proposed to alter this arrangement.
The Parliamentary Secretary said he will take steps to see that the fishery is not damaged. He is not satisfied at the moment that it is not damaged. That is the question: is he satisfied it is not being damaged?
Yes, I am satisfied.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary allay public apprehension and definitely state that there is no need for the people to be worried because a great many people in the vicinity are worried as to whether or not there is damage?
Would the Parliamentary Secretary agree that the people of Dublin North Central may be worried but it is the Deputies in Meath and the Meath County Council who know a great deal more about what is going on around Navan than Deputy Belton does. When the Parliamentary Secretary talks about State-owned fisheries, is he talking about the portion of the fisheries on the Boyne and the Blackwater retained by the Land Commission when the lands along these rivers were divided, the portion let out now to certain privileged people who take the fisheries for amusement and refuse to allow the owners of the land to fish their own waters?
The stretch I am referring to is the stretch about half a mile west of Navan which is used by the Kilbride Anglers' Club.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary say if the Kilbride Anglers' Club is made up mainly of civil servants?
Has the Parliamentary Secretary's Department had any discussions with the local authority?
Not that I am aware of.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary consider it desirable for his Department to consult Meath County Council on this matter at an early date?
The protection of the fisheries is the responsibility of my Department. My Department keeps in constant touch with the matter. We will have discussions with any people with whom we think discussion is necessary.
Has the Department met Meath County Council?
Is there not also a board of conservators and a planning authority to deal with these matters?
Quite correct.