John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)

Why does BIM reserve the right to amend the conditions of the scheme? It is quite unfair that when people sign up for the hardship scheme, they forfeit the right to apply for any future commercial salmon licences. I see the Minister of State has stipulated up to the 31 December as regards the evaluation period and for acceptance. In certain cases fishermen are sending back the application forms. The Minister has said this is very much a voluntary scheme. However, are we not talking about a complete ban? If they do apply for the scheme this year is there any possibility of a reconsideration, should they apply after 31 March?

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