Paul McGrath
Ceist:41 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for the Marine if the promised legislation to control illegal eel fishing has been drafted; if so, when it will be published; and when this legislation will be passed into law.
Vol. 441 No. 2
41 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for the Marine if the promised legislation to control illegal eel fishing has been drafted; if so, when it will be published; and when this legislation will be passed into law.
51 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a new eel fishing season has commenced; and the measures, if any, he proposes to take to enable licence holders to earn their living free from intimidation.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 51 together.
The Fisheries (Amendment) Bill, 1994, part of which deals with eel fishing, was circulated last week. I would hope that with the Houses' approval it can be speedily enacted.
The purpose of this Bill in so far as eels are concerned is to enhance the management, development and control of this country's eel fisheries. The principal thrust of the amendments is to give the same level of control and protection to eels as are afforded to salmon and trout.
The new, measures proposed will establish control on the
—sales, or export for sale, of eels;
—carriage of eels;