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Dáil Éireann - Volume 267 - 03 July, 1973 Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Salmon Stocks. Mr. Fahey Mr. Fahey 14. Mr. Fahey asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the steps he proposes to take to conserve salmon stocks. Mr. M.P. Murphy Mr. M.P. Murphy Mr. M.P. Murphy: Until such time as effect will have been given to decisions arising from the full report and recommendations of the Inland Fisheries Commission, I am employ- Mr. Andrews Mr. Andrews Mr. Andrews: We are talking about fishing and it is relevant to fisheries. ing, for the preservation and improvement of salmon stocks, conventional measures backed by existing expert knowledge within the provisions of the Fisheries Acts 1959 to 1964. Mr. Andrews Mr. Andrews Mr. Andrews: Has the Parliamentary Secretary any plans in his Department for the nationalisation of salmon fisheries and fisheries generally under the control of the Inland Fisheries Trust? An Ceann Comhairle Seán Treacy An Ceann Comhairle: This seems to be a separate question altogether. An Ceann Comhairle Seán Treacy An Ceann Comhairle: The Chair thinks otherwise. Question No. 15, Deputy Moore. Mr. Fahey Mr. Fahey Mr. Fahey: May I ask the Parliamentary Secretary—— An Ceann Comhairle Seán Treacy An Ceann Comhairle: I shall allow Deputy Fahey to put a question. Mr. Andrews Mr. Andrews 22 [22] Mr. Andrews: This is very unfair. Mr. Fahey Mr. Fahey Mr. Fahey: Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the Inland Fisheries Commission issued two interim reports which highlighted in no uncertain manner the need to do something immediately in regard to the conservation of salmon stocks? Is he further aware that all the expert advice available also highlights the need for immediate steps to be taken to conserve salmon stocks and spells out—— An Ceann Comhairle Seán Treacy An Ceann Comhairle: This is a very long question. Mr. Andrews Mr. Andrews Mr. Andrews: It is very important. Mr. Fahey Mr. Fahey Mr. Fahey: I am asking the Parliamentary Secretary whether he is aware that the expert advice available to us spells out indefinitely the consequences of neglecting to conserve our salmon stocks. Is he aware that the livelihood and future of the traditional salmon fishermen are at stake if this advice is not acted upon immediately? Mr. M.P. Murphy Mr. M.P. Murphy Mr. M.P. Murphy: I am aware of the position in so far as conservancy measures are necessary and I have taken all appropriate steps. I have amended the order made by the Deputy and I am quite satisfied that the amendment was justified. If the Deputy wishes to get a more detailed account of the other measures that have been adopted I will be only too glad to furnish them. Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons: May I ask the Parliamentary Secretary is it not true that as a result of the amendment of the previous order the number of net licences has been increased and as a result the catch of salmon is being increased? The result of the amended order is the extermination of the salmon stocks in many of our rivers. The Parliamentary Secretary made this amendment in order to yield to pressure. Mr. M.P. Murphy Mr. M.P. Murphy Mr. M.P. Murphy: I made this amendment in order to be fair to the fishermen of this country and not, as alleged by the Deputy, to yield to pressure. Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons 23 [23] Mr. J. Gibbons: It was made to increase the number of net licences. Mr. M.P. Murphy Mr. M.P. Murphy Mr. M.P. Murphy: The amendment was completely justified. Mr. Blaney Mr. Blaney Mr. Blaney: In retrospect, would the Parliamentary Secretary not acknowledge that not only was the order bad but the amended order was also bad, and a completely new order is what is necessary? Mr. M.P. Murphy Mr. M.P. Murphy Mr. M.P. Murphy: I propose to introduce a new order in 1974. As I indicated, when this order was introduced on the 10th May it was an order covering the current year. While there may be defects in the order for 1973 it is much better than the order of 1972. (Interruptions.) Mr. Fahey Mr. Fahey Mr. Fahey: Does the Parliamentary Secretary accept the two interim reports of the Inland Fisheries Commission? Does he accept the seriousness of neglecting to deal with this very urgent problem of conservation of our salmon stocks? Mr. M.P. Murphy Mr. M.P. Murphy Mr. M.P. Murphy: I have considered the interim reports in conjunction with numbers of other reports and have taken them all into account, as well as all the information available to me, in making this order on the 10th May. An Ceann Comhairle Seán Treacy An Ceann Comhairle: I am calling Question No. 15. The Chair cannot deliberate on this question all day. There are over 166 questions on the Order Paper. Mr. Fahey Mr. Fahey Mr. Fahey: May I ask the Parliamentary Secretary what other reports he referred to? Mr. M.P. Murphy Mr. M.P. Murphy Mr. M.P. Murphy: I referred to reports from fishermen's associations and to reports from practical fishermen who have been fishing all their lives. I am in a more favourable position than the Deputy to know about these matters because I live at the sea. Mr. Haughey Mr. Haughey Mr. Haughey: Éist le fuaim na h-abhann agus gheobhar breac. Mr. Fahey Mr. Fahey 24 Mr. Fahey: Surely the report of the Inland Fisheries Commission carries more weight than many of the other [24] reports mentioned by the Parliamentary Secretary. Mr. M.P. Murphy Mr. M.P. Murphy Mr. M.P. Murphy: Reports from practical fishermen carry a great deal of weight. (Interruptions.) Mr. M.P. Murphy Mr. M.P. Murphy Mr. M.P. Murphy: Perhaps Deputy Andrews is watching his own inland fisheries. Mr. Andrews Mr. Andrews Mr. Andrews: Anybody can join the Inland Fisheries Trust for £2. Dáil Éireann 267 Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. Salmon Stocks. Questions 19730703
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