asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries why a person in County Clare (details supplied) was not granted a drift net licence in respect of the 1974 season.
4.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drift Net Licences.
3.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries why a person in Kilrush, County Clare, (details supplied) was not granted a drift net licence for the lower Shannon in respect of the 1974 season.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 and 4 together.
The applications referred to by the Deputy were for drift net licences in the River Shannon estuary, and were considered among the others received by the Limerick Board of Fishery Conservators, which has the sole responsibility for the allocation of these licences.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that licences were allocated to these men at the January meeting of the fishery board? Can he tell me why they did not get them?
I am aware that the Deputy is a member of the board and is possibly more conversant with what happened at the board meeting than I am. The Shannon Estuary is exempt from the Control of Fishing for Salmon Order, 1973. I understand that the person referred to in Question No. 3 did not get a licence because he was convicted of illegal fishing at Kilrush Court on 20th November, 1973, and fined a total of £80. His gear was forfeited to the board. It may be that this year the board decided to refuse his licence because of that conviction.
The person referred to in Question No. 4 was also refused a licence for the 1974 season. He had held a licence for the past few years. With other fishermen he was convicted of fishing by illegal methods at Kilrush Court on 10th December, 1970. The convicted fishermen had costs of £780 awarded against them. These are still outstanding. Having regard to the fact that it was three years since the conviction was obtained it seems that the board's refusal to grant this man a licence this year arises from the nonpayment of costs.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that these men have fished in the Shannon since 1919 or 1920? Is it fair to take away their livelihood because of fines and costs not paid?
The board of which the Deputy is a member took away their livelihood, if the Deputy wishes to use that term. Licences are issued by the Limerick Board. As I pointed out earlier, the Control of Fishing for Salmon Order, 1973, does not apply to that particular board. The Deputy is on the board and perhaps he would wish to use his influence there.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary say whether all those convicted of offences of illegal fishing, and so on, are all refused licences for the following year?
I have no information about that for the Deputy. I know that the fact that one is convicted does not bar one from obtaining a licence. The boards have discretion. They are the people who determine whether an application should be approved or rejected. Many board members feel that persons convicted of illegal fishing should be punished by having their licences withheld.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary agree that on most of these boards the riparian owners are in the majority and are prejudiced against such fishermen?
I agree that that could be the case. As a result of my awareness I intend to introduce legislation which will rectify that.
I am passing on now to Question No. 5, having given a lot of time to this question.
There were two questions.
Deputy G. Collins should help the Chair, not hinder it.
The Ceann Comhairle must agree that we all like to see Question Time being used as Question Time.
That is a matter for the Chair.
If the Chair is dependent on the House for co-operation——
The Deputy must not intervene when the Chair makes a ruling.
In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Parliamentary Secretary's reply, I wish to give notice of my intention to raise this matter on the Adjournment.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
Who was the previous secretary of the local Board of Conservators?
That is a separate question.