asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the steps he proposes to take to conserve salmon stocks.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Salmon Stocks.
14.
Until such time as effect will have been given to decisions arising from the full report and recommendations of the Inland Fisheries Commission, I am employ-
We are talking about fishing and it is relevant to fisheries. ing, for the preservation and improvement of salmon stocks, conventional measures backed by existing expert knowledge within the provisions of the Fisheries Acts 1959 to 1964.
Has the Parliamentary Secretary any plans in his Department for the nationalisation of salmon fisheries and fisheries generally under the control of the Inland Fisheries Trust?
This seems to be a separate question altogether.
The Chair thinks otherwise. Question No. 15, Deputy Moore.
May I ask the Parliamentary Secretary——
I shall allow Deputy Fahey to put a question.
This is very unfair.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the Inland Fisheries Commission issued two interim reports which highlighted in no uncertain manner the need to do something immediately in regard to the conservation of salmon stocks? Is he further aware that all the expert advice available also highlights the need for immediate steps to be taken to conserve salmon stocks and spells out——
This is a very long question.
It is very important.
I am asking the Parliamentary Secretary whether he is aware that the expert advice available to us spells out indefinitely the consequences of neglecting to conserve our salmon stocks. Is he aware that the livelihood and future of the traditional salmon fishermen are at stake if this advice is not acted upon immediately?
I am aware of the position in so far as conservancy measures are necessary and I have taken all appropriate steps. I have amended the order made by the Deputy and I am quite satisfied that the amendment was justified. If the Deputy wishes to get a more detailed account of the other measures that have been adopted I will be only too glad to furnish them.
May I ask the Parliamentary Secretary is it not true that as a result of the amendment of the previous order the number of net licences has been increased and as a result the catch of salmon is being increased? The result of the amended order is the extermination of the salmon stocks in many of our rivers. The Parliamentary Secretary made this amendment in order to yield to pressure.
I made this amendment in order to be fair to the fishermen of this country and not, as alleged by the Deputy, to yield to pressure.
It was made to increase the number of net licences.
The amendment was completely justified.
In retrospect, would the Parliamentary Secretary not acknowledge that not only was the order bad but the amended order was also bad, and a completely new order is what is necessary?
I propose to introduce a new order in 1974. As I indicated, when this order was introduced on the 10th May it was an order covering the current year. While there may be defects in the order for 1973 it is much better than the order of 1972.
(Interruptions.)
Does the Parliamentary Secretary accept the two interim reports of the Inland Fisheries Commission? Does he accept the seriousness of neglecting to deal with this very urgent problem of conservation of our salmon stocks?
I have considered the interim reports in conjunction with numbers of other reports and have taken them all into account, as well as all the information available to me, in making this order on the 10th May.
I am calling Question No. 15. The Chair cannot deliberate on this question all day. There are over 166 questions on the Order Paper.
May I ask the Parliamentary Secretary what other reports he referred to?
I referred to reports from fishermen's associations and to reports from practical fishermen who have been fishing all their lives. I am in a more favourable position than the Deputy to know about these matters because I live at the sea.
Éist le fuaim na h-abhann agus gheobhar breac.
Surely the report of the Inland Fisheries Commission carries more weight than many of the other reports mentioned by the Parliamentary Secretary.
Reports from practical fishermen carry a great deal of weight.
(Interruptions.)
Perhaps Deputy Andrews is watching his own inland fisheries.
Anybody can join the Inland Fisheries Trust for £2.