Under the wild salmon and sea trout tagging scheme regulations, the allocation of tags to commercial salmon fishing and angling licence holders is the responsibility of the relevant regional fisheries board. Neither I nor my Department have any role in this matter.
The Central Fisheries Board is responsible for the publication of an annual fisheries statistics report containing all relevant data relating to the commercial salmon fishing and angling seasons. I understand that the Central Fisheries Board is currently collating this year's data on the tagging scheme from the regional fisheries boards with a view to finalising the annual report for 2004 as soon as possible. I am advised by the Central Fisheries Board that the information being sought by the Deputy will be included in the annual report for 2004 and I have asked the chief executive officer of the board to ensure the Deputy receives a copy of this report as soon as it is available.