I am advised by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) that in order to commercially fish for eel it was a requirement for any person, including fishery owners, to hold a fishing licence. I am also advised that the majority of eel fishery owners were also licensed by IFI to fish for eel and, therefore, would be included in the proposed support scheme for former fishermen which my officials have advised to the European Commission.
The rateable value of fisheries is set by the Valuation Office on a statutory basis. It is a matter, in the first instance, for fishery owners to contact the Valuations Office as regards the possibility of amending the valuation in the light of current circumstances.
IFI advised that many eel fishery owners have not paid rates since the closure of fisheries in 2009 based on the European Commission's approval of Ireland's Eel Management Plan under EU regulation 1100/2007.
Inland Fisheries Ireland is statutorily obliged to collect rates based on rateable valuation established by the Valuation Office. However, it has no statutory function in relation to that issue nor any power to amend rateable valuations.