Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

On Thursday last, I raised under promised primary and secondary legislation conservation measures proposed by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in the area of eel fisheries in accordance with an EU directive that such legislation be enacted. I also raised the concerns of the Joint Committee on European Affairs about the severity of the Minister's proposals and referred to the legislation in question. By coincidence, over the weekend the Minister enacted the first element of his legislative proposals, namely, a three year total ban on eel fisheries. This was done as part of a proposed 90 year ban on eel fisheries. As a sportsman, the Ceann Comhairle will be aware that eel fishery interests in this country are very concerned about the ban. Yesterday, the joint committee expressed concern at the failure of the Minister to give any indication-----

See this speech in context