Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

It is remarkable that the local authority in question was informed of the need for the licence but did not proceed. Questions must be asked about the local authority's relationship with the Department and its management of the legislation.

The River Suir, like many rivers in the south east and on the east coast, is under severe pressure with salmon numbers far below conservation limits. That we are heading towards potential extinction of salmon on that river will be of concern to snap net commercial fishermen. What does the Minister of State intend to do to ensure salmon run the river in sufficient numbers to provide a commercial future for snap net fishermen on the river? What specific measures will best ensure the survival of the salmon stock into the future?

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