John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)

I support the amendments tabled by Deputy Ferris and Deputy Broughan. I was in Inishowen last weekend and the debate is very sensitive, particularly in regard to salmon. The fact that a tag will cost €7 is contentious, as will be the fact that the number of drift netting licences will be cut from 100 to 35. The politics of this is different from that of inland fisheries.

The Farrell Grant Sparks report commissioned by the Government has not been debated in this House, but it should be discussed. The management of the Foyle is different from the management of fisheries within our jurisdiction. With the differences between oyster, mussel and salmon fishermen, there is a great lack of trust up there. The oyster fishermen were at loggerheads with the mussel fishermen regarding the duplication of licences. People have invested heavily and as this Bill updates the 1952 Act, it is very important. There is a huge element of trust involved.

Will the Minister of State indicate the level of accountability involved in the appointment of those from the South? There has been a lack of consultation with the stakeholders. Deputy Keaveney pointed out that there is a huge demand for mussels, but if that industry is to be grown, we must get the seed. That is a very contentious issue up there. People with oyster beds feel that mussels are to the detriment of oysters. Salmon fishermen are annoyed that drift netting is being allowed. We have spoken about banning drift netting, but the Foyle is a huge stretch of water. Only 35 licences are being issued for drift nets, which is down from 100 licences. Last year, 20 licences were apparently not reissued.

Having met a number of people there last weekend, I felt that the politics of this are difficult. Different people have different concerns and many of them are uncertain as to who is in charge. With the joint authority, very few people knew who was effectively in charge. Very few public meetings were called with the stakeholders and their contributions were not taken on board. It is important that we assure people that there will be accountability under this new agency. If the vested interests have a grievance they must be able to approach somebody. It is important that the Minister of State indicates that those appointed on this side have the resources to deal with complaints. There must also be complete transparency. Until now, this has not taken place.

What has happened in the Foyle is quite extraordinary when compared to the inaction within the seven fisheries boards in this State. There are fish counters in all the rivers going into the Foyle and the authorities know the exact number of salmon there. There is no quota whatsoever and the whole thing is based on the assessment of the availability of salmon. However, there is now talk about charging €7 per tag for salmon. Perhaps the Minister of State has some information on that. I ask him to explain. It is quite different to the management of the inland fisheries within the Minister of State's jurisdiction.

While this legislation is welcome in some respects, many questions have not been answered. Many people are unhappy because they lack confidence in the ability of management to ensure the future survival of those working in the oyster, mussel and salmon fisheries and to develop aquaculture businesses and wild aquaculture. I ask the Minister of State to outline the level of accountability that is in place to protect taxpayers who are investing a considerable amount of money in the management and funding of our fisheries resources.

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