Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)

Is the Minister of State saying he agrees with what Mr. Joey Murrin is reported as saying in The Irish Times today? Does this mean the salmon commission is recommending this proposal for all the reasons given by the Minister of State? We have not seen any costings for it. The Minister of State mentioned €70 million and €80 million for the cost of a buy-out.

In the past three or four months anglers throughout the country, including in Donegal from where the Minister of State comes and also in Killarney, seem to be on the verge of rebellion. The mood is reminiscent of that which prevailed at the time of licence dispute a few years ago, given the types of restrictions imposed on them in regard to catches. Perhaps they are being imposed on the worthy basis of conservation but such conservation measures are being imposed because of the Minister of State's failure to bite the bullet and address the main issue of a buyout.

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