Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)

For all the reasons I outlined during the discussions, which I will not reiterate, a decision was made on whether the scheme should be voluntary. I do not dispute the Deputy's contention at the committee that this might cause difficulties as people try to operate in fisheries associated with other types of fish. However, this is not a reason to allow for the extinction of the salmon. The problem we face is diminishing salmon stocks, partly caused by drift-netting and partly by other factors, some of which we understand and some of which we do not. We made our decision in order to have an influence in an area over which we have some control, and we have done so in the best interest of conserving salmon stocks.

I do not agree with Deputy Ferris that the compensation is totally inadequate. I have outlined how the figure was calculated, which figure is based on a five year period. A net price of approximately €23 per salmon was arrived at after the subtraction of costs, and this was based on salmon above average weight and certainly above the average weight of those caught over recent years. A top price is accepted rather than a medium or low one. The individual payments from the hardship fund do not comprise a slap in the face and are quite generous. They are even more generous given that the State need not provide any payment at all.

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