asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is aware that the livelihood of salmon net fishermen, especially on the West coast, is in danger because of overfishing by large trawlers with modern equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Conservation of Salmon Stocks.
36.
I am not aware that the livelihood of salmon net fishermen, including those on the West coast, is in danger from overfishing for salmon by large trawlers with modern equipment. The use of such large boats for salmon fishing is not on the whole a widespread practice. The need for conservation of salmon stocks in general is at present being actively considered in my department particularly in relation to recommendations made in the interim reports of the inland fisheries commission but I am not in a position to make a more detailed statement at present.
The Parlimentary Secretary was much more audible when he was an ordinary back bench Deputy.
I did not quite hear him but I am not making a point about that. Did the Parliamentary Secretary say that there is some sort of activity in his Department in relation to the conservation of salmon?
There is.
When can we expect that? When all the salmon have been wiped out of the rivers?
I do not take the same pessimistic view as Deputy Andrews that the salmon will be wiped out. I made a salmon order recently.
It was an act of criminality.
Has the Parliamentary Secretary taken any steps to establish some salmon hatcheries?
That matter is under active consideration. The Deputy's party did not make much of an effort during their 16 years in office. I am doing the job now.
The Parliamentary Secretary took the Tánaiste's cue there very quickly. I should like to know how active this consideration is and how soon we can expect to have a hatchery established in West Cork.
There is nothing in the question about hatcheries.
I want to assure Deputy Corish that the Parliamentary Secretary is well able to look after himself.
This matter is being taken very lightly. Here we have one of the most important factors——
Is this a question?
Yes, a final question. Has the Parliamentary Secretary read the Liddell Report issued in 1970 on this whole matter of salmon conservation and does he realise how serious the situation is? This very important national asset will be almost on the point of extinotion in the next five to ten years if some very urgent action is not taken on the matter. This is why I would respectfully urge the Minister's Department to issue their findings as a matter of urgency. I think we would be in agreement on that.
Mr. P. Murphy
I do not accept the Deputy's contention that the salmon fishing industry will be wiped out.
Question No. 37.
The Parliamentary Secretary did not answer the question I asked.
I have called Question No. 37.