Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to raise a matter of national importance, namely, why drift net fishermen in north-east England were given Stg£70,000 a number of years ago in a buyout in the interests of salmon conservation and Stg£110,000 is being offered to those remaining as a buyout, while only approximately €2,000 is being offered to our 850 drift net fishermen for a similar buyout with a disgraceful €23 euro per salmon caught in the last five years, with a quota reduction of 75% already unfairly operating, which is supposed to satisfy their needs for the rest of their existence, having had the licence for up to 30 years in some cases, with no provision for the drift net crew or any other option considered for them or for wild salmon dealers; and whether this is at all equitable considering the devastating effect on those men and their families in rural areas for the rest of their lives, considering that ESOT Aer Lingus workers were treated equitably by comparison.

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