Enda Kenny
Ceist:13 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for the Marine if he will issue his proposals for the ending of the rod licence controversy; and if he has secured agreement on such proposals.
Ceisteanna-Questions. Oral Answers. - Rod Licence Dispute.
Joe Sherlock
Ceist:29 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for the Marine if, in view of the imminent opening of the angling season, he will outline the latest position in regard to his attempts to solve the rod licence dispute; if he intends to take any new initiatives in the dispute; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Pádraic McCormack
Ceist:45 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for the Marine when legislation will be introduced to amend the Fisheries (Amendment) (No. 2) Act, 1987.
Michael Moynihan
Ceist:50 Mr. Moynihan asked the Minister for the Marine if he will outline the current situation in regard to the rod licence dispute.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 13, 29, 45 and 50 together.
The latest position in relation to the rod licence dispute is that following detailed discussions, I have developed further the proposals I announced on 10 November last. These proposals have been communicated to various organisations and I am expecting a response within the next day or so. Leading spokespersons for the organisations concerned have welcomed these proposals and have indicated that they will strongly recommend them to their organisations.
If my proposals are generally acceptable I expect that all objection signs will be removed and that angling will recommence without delay in the areas in which is has been disrupted.
The central elements of the proposed basis for settlement are my proposals of 10 November 1989, subject to refinement of the fine print in the light of many detailed suggestions made. Those proposals provided for the exercise of a democratic choice at a local level in the selection of the management of the co-operatives who were to be allowed operational discretion in day-to-day management. Those proposals also provide for shareholders a right to vote in the election of members for regional fisheries boards.
On the same principle of local democracy which was the key to the original proposals, a significant majority by way of secret ballot will decide whether non-members of the co-operative should hold a share certificate to fish.
I am satisfied that these proposals offer a fair and democratic procedure for resolving the rod licence dispute. They involve putting in place a co-operative mechanism tailored to local needs and which should generate significant revenues for local fishery development. To have a say in the process proposed, anglers who contribute will have the decision-making powers. Thus, the basic revenue-raising objective, on which there is general agreement, should be fully met. The position of the co-operatives will complement and enhance the statutory position of the central and regional fisheries boards which will retain their pivotal role in inland fisheries development.
I have appealed to all groups in the pro and anti-licence camps to respond positively to these proposals and to put behind them the divisions of the past two years. The new arrangements, properly supported by all anglers, could help to transform the development of this important national resource both as a local amenity and in the interest of the tourist sector.
Hopefully, we are now at the end of a difficult chapter in the administration of inland fisheries. I should like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the splendid work of all those involved in the fishery service, both on the central and regional fisheries boards and the managers and staff, throughout this period.
I should also like to express, through you, a Cheann Comhairle, my appreciation for the helpful and constructive advice which I received from Deputies on all sides of the House in the handling of this complex issue. As matters are now at a most delicate stage, I would ask for their continued support in ensuring that our present efforts are brought to a successful conclusion.
May I express the hope that the Minister has arrived at a position where the dispute, which has caused unprecedented social and economic disruption, is finally drawing to a close. In thanking the Minister for his efforts to date can he acquaint me with the following information? Assuming the Minister's proposals are acceptable to the relevant groups and I trust they will be — will it be necessary for him to introduce an amendment to the Fisheries (Amendment) (No. 2) Act, 1987, in this House abolishing the compulsory aspect of having a licence to fish. Second, does the formation of co-operatives in any way alter the position of the Government in so far as the extension of fresh water fish farms to all western lakes is concerned? Third, what will the role of the regional fisheries boards be assuming that by democratic choice a co-operative decide that a share certificate is necessary and that there may still be a small minority unwilling to participate in that regard? Finally, will the proposals, if accepted, also extend to the area where salmon licences are required at present and about which there has not been a dispute to date?
I appreciate what the Deputy has said by way of support. First, legislation is necessary to amend the Fisheries (Amendment) (No. 2) Act, 1987, and to interlock it with the new scheme, and that will come before the House. I do not think the existence of the co-operatives has any bearing whatsoever on the development of fish farms. My predecessor and myself have indicated that we do not want structures on lakes. That is the general policy. The regional boards will have the powers and duties that they already have under statute and they will also be available to the co-operatives to effect the decisions of the co-operative with regard to fishing. Finally, in regard to salmon licences — as the Deputy adumbrated in his question — there has been no problem with that sector and I am making arrangements for their licensing to continue.
Deputy Kenny rose.
There are a number of Deputies who tabled questions. I allowed Deputy Kenny a series of questions.
I wanted to wish the Taoiseach and everybody else tight lines and a convivial atmosphere on the lakes.
What about the poor unfortunate Minister?
I thanked him first.
I think this is news that will bring relief to many throughout the community so far as the optimism of the Minister is concerned in having it finally resolved. It was a dispute that caused conflict among communities and damaged our tourist industry. In the light of what the Minister has said may I assume that the compulsory aspect of co-operative membership, which was a feature of his original proposals to the fishermen, will no longer prevail?
As the word "compulsion" became an emotive word it is one I scrubbed out of my vocabulary some time ago. I agree with the Deputy that as far as I was concerned and as far as my files were concerned the evidence of social disruption weighed much more heavily with me than the economic loss. Sometimes it was an economic loss which was not for the whole country because people transferred from one part of the country to another to fish, but at least it could be argued that the money was kept in the country. The fact is that the person who takes out a share certificate will be in a position to impact on the various areas I have referred to already, namely, they will be able to form part of the governments of the particular co-operative, they will be in a position, by virtue of holding a certificate, to vote for representatives on the regional fisheries board and they will be part of the decision-making process for non-members. That is the significant part.
Deputy Moynihan rose.
I am calling Deputy Sherlock who has tabled a question on this subject.
I welcome the Minister's statement and I congratulate him because ever since he was given this portfolio many of the angling clubs along the Blackwater Valley — from where I come — have had confidence in him. The issue looks very like being resolved since the spokesman for the anglers, who is a Cork man, spoke this morning and said he would be strongly recommending acceptance, and when a Corkman makes a pronouncement like that one can rest assured he knows what he is talking about. Will the Minister ensure that no effort will be spared to build up immediately the relationship between all sections of the community as we are now coming into the fishing season? Will the Minister also say whether he has given any consideration to the all-important issue of the nationalisation of the inland fisheries?
That is a separate matter.
No effort will be spared to bring about peace and harmony in the whole area. I can assure the Deputy of that. My best information is that very substantial numbers of trout are now seeing their psychiatrist because they are beginning to get worried. We have not considered the nationalisation of the trout fisheries.
Under the Minister's proposals who will have a say as to who fishes the lakes, the co-operatives or the fishery boards? What about the person who does not operate under the co-operative as opposed to the fishery board?
I answered that already. The co-operative will regulate the fisheries in its own area. The regional board will have its statutory duties as laid down in law and will continue without diminution in that regard. The important thing is that the fishermen themselves will elect members onto the regional board so that there will be a cross-fertilisation of policy.
Has the Minister made any estimate of the revenue that will be generated under this system as compared to what was envisaged under the 1987 Act? Does the Minister agree that this House owes a debt of gratitude to the officers of the regional fisheries boards who carried out their duties in almost intolerable circumstances over the past couple of years? Will they continue to perform the same functions under the new system?
The Deputy is raising other matters.
That has already been included in my reply. The position of the co-operatives will complement and enhance the statutory position of the central and regional fisheries boards who will retain the pivotal role in our fisheries development. In the statement I made last night and in my reply today I expressed appreciation of the work of the regional and central boards.
Will there now be any diminution in the functions and responsibilities of the officers of the regional fishery boards?
I am calling on Deputy Gerry O'Sullivan.
With due respect, this is a very pertinent question.
The Deputy will not frustrate the Chair in this manner. I have called Deputy O'Sullivan.
Should the proposals be accepted by the fishing and angling organisations, how soon will amending legislation be brought before the House? I would like to remind the House that there is a Bill already to amend the Fisheries Act, 1987.
Other than my office are keeping it from me, I did not know of the existence of the other Bill.
It is a Private Members' Bill.
The legislation will be introduced with all possible speed and I look forward to Deputy O'Sullivan's help in getting a good substantial Bill through the House and on the Statute Book.