Dáil Éireann - Volume 131 - 01 May, 1952

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Curtailment of Salmon Close Season.

Mr. O'Donnell asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will consider the curtailment of the weekly close season for salmon drift net fishermen by fixing the weekly close season from 6 a.m. on Saturday to 6 a.m. on Sunday.

Parliamentary Secretary to Minister for Agriculture (Mr. Bartley): Curtailment of the weekly close time for salmon fishing would require amendment of the existing law, and I am not at present prepared to consider the introduction of legislation on this point.

Mr. O'Donnell: Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware of the very short drift net salmon fishing season? Is he further aware of the breaches committed? By shortening the weekly close season he would possibly do a considerable amount for Irish salmon and Irish salmon fishermen.

Mr. Bartley: I am afraid we cannot approach the problem on the lines suggested by the Deputy. I think he was informed more than a year ago that certain scientific investigations are being carried out, and it would be undesirable to do what he suggests until these have been completed.

Mr. O'Donnell: Are they still going on?

Mr. Bartley: Yes. They were not [852] commenced as had been at first arranged.