Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 March 2015
556. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if further payments have issued following the initial payment to the Foyle fishermen as a form of compensation for agreeing to cease salmon fishing on the Foyle; if not, his plans to issue further payments to fishermen who will now agree to cease salmon fishing on the Foyle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10549/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraLough Foyle is within the remit of the Loughs Agency of the Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission, which is a North-South body established under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement.
The Salmon Hardship Scheme was introduced following a decision in 2006 to cease, for conservation reasons, the commercial salmon mixed stock fishery in the sea.
In excess of €25m was allocated to the scheme to facilitate payments to fishermen with a further €5m provided for community development projects. Under the scheme fishermen active in the fishery could opt to voluntarily cease fishing in the commercial drift net and draft net sectors and undertake not to seek a licence in the future.
134 fishermen in the relevant area availed of the scheme and 28 did not apply in order to retain their licences.
The scheme closed for applications on 31 December 2007 and ceased in 2008 and I understand that all funds were expended; there are no plans to revisit such a scheme.
