Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 1 May 2001

Vol. 535 No. 1

Written Answers - Fishing Licences.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

140 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the position, in so far as talks are concerned, with regard to the purchasing back of 1,400 drift net fishing licences with a view to restoring depleted salmon stocks in the north Atlantic; the number of meetings and discussions he has had in this regard; if he has met with the North Atlantic Salmon Fund organisation; if he has entered into discussions with the Irish Salmon Netmen's Association; if he has had discussions with drift net fishermen; if he has assessed the value of the drift net licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11948/01

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Fahey)

I refer to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 88 on 10 April 2000 in which I stated that while I have met a number of individuals and groups to hear their views on the merits or demerits of a buy-out of driftnet salmon licences, I have not received to date any substantiated and fully quantified proposals which address the complexities of the Irish situation in the round. Recently, I have had discussions with the North Atlantic Salmon Fund regarding the international experience in the area of voluntary schemes to reduce commercial fishing for salmon.

As I have previously informed the House, I have asked the National Salmon Commission to analyse and advise me on a range of priority issues, including incentivising reduction of commercial fishing effort. The commission is working to form consensus advice which will inform my consideration. The issues are complex and I have cautioned against simplistic solutions in the Irish context, particularly regarding any funding mechanisms which might apply in the case of Exchequer or private sector funding.