Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to raise a matter of major national and local importance, namely, the fact that while drift net fishermen in north-east England were given £70,000 a number of years ago as part of a buy-out agreed in the interests of salmon conservation, and £110,000 is being offered to the remaining drift net fishermen there as part of a further buy-out, just €2,000 is being offered to Ireland's 850 drift net fishermen as part of a similar buy-out. They are being offered €23 for each salmon caught in the last five years. A quota reduction of 75% is already operating. No provision has been made for the drift net crew and no other option is being considered for them. We need to consider whether this is equitable, considering the devastating effect it will have on the fishermen and their families in rural areas for the rest of their lives.

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