Vol. 398 No. 8
11 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for the Marine if he will outline his plans to advise anglers at home and abroad of the conclusion of the rod angling licence dispute; the conditions under which they may now fish; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The conclusion of the rod licence dispute was widely communicated to the public here at home via all branches of the media some months ago and I have no plans for further publicity in that regard.
Bord Fáilte have made the necessary arrangements quickly to inform foreign anglers through their normal channels abroad. I understand that extensive campaigns were mounted by them in Britain, Germany, France, the Benelux countries, Scandinavia, Italy and the USA.
I understand that angling has resumed as normal throughout the country and that an excellent tourist angling season is in prospect; in other words, bookings are good.
The Bill which I hope to present soon to the House to implement the terms of the settlement in this dispute will set out the regime to apply to trout and coarse fishing for the future.
I thank the Minister for his reply from which it would appear that a lot is being done but there appears to remain some confusion particularly among anglers from abroad about this question. I tabled this question in order to elicit that information from the Minister. Will he inform the House when the amending legislation is likely to be introduced in the House because that would be the most important factor?
As I said in my reply, very extensive advertising took place to ensure that foreigners would be made aware of the position. If anybody arrives here without that information it must mean they have not asked the Bord Fáilte offices in their country. Again, as I said in my reply, the Bill which I hope to present to the House within the next few weeks will set out the regime to be applicable in the future and there will not be any delay.
Can the Minister inform the House whether anglers fishing at present are acting in accordance with or contrary to the law prevailing; in other words, are they fishing legally or illegally?
Does the Deputy mean anybody who is casting a duck fly at present?
Yes.
What I intend to do is put around them a comfortable fleece lined cloak of legislation in the very near future.
What about the position at present? If I am on a lake fishing, am I acting legally or illegally?
I note that the Deputies from Clare are getting very excited. I am sure they are far more subtle in their interpretation of laws than I am.
We want clarification from the Minister.
I have just given such clarification.
What is the position of anglers who were approached by gardaí fishing on different lakes in Clare? Will the law be invoked against them or not?
Would the Deputy like to give me details of the instances of Garda approaches in County Clare? I would like to have them.
I will, yes.
In the interests of clarity can the Minister state definitively — between now and the time the new legislation is enacted — do anglers or do they not require to hold a rod licence?
I am at present working on the relevant legislation. With the help of Deputies Gilmore and Taylor-Quinn I hope to have clarification on the Statute Book in the very near future. I am looking forward to their co-operation. Incidentally, I should say that sea angling does not require a licence.
This cannot continue interminably. A final question from Deputy Gilmore.
Between now and the passage of the amending legislation, do anglers or do they not require a licence?
The Deputy has already put that question.
But I did not get an answer.
We cannot afford the luxury of repetition.
It is very unsatisfactory.
