Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As Deputy Colreavy will be aware, the 2007 EU eel regulations, drafted in response to the endangered status of the European eel, required EU states, including Ireland, to develop eel management plans. Based on the scientific facts available, a recommendation of this plan was that Ireland close both the commercial and recreational eel fisheries in 2008.

In June 2012, the status of eel in Ireland, and across Europe, was reviewed as part of the reporting requirement for the 2007 EU regulation. This included a comprehensive scientific assessment of the status of the eel stocks nationally. Other EU member states carried out similar reviews. The review in Ireland recommended that the closure of both the commercial and recreational eel fisheries should continue in line with the conservation imperative. Inland Fisheries Ireland, IFI, has made the relevant reports on eel stocks available on its website, including the national eel stock recovery plan, the status of eel stocks in Ireland and the implementation of the eel management plan for Ireland.

The review of eel stocks in Europe is a shared concern involving many countries on a pan-European basis. As the EU regulation requires member states to report on national measures and reassess every three years, the scientific and management review is ongoing and is mainstreamed into the work of Inland Fisheries Ireland. As previously outlined in the House, no property right attaches to public eel licences and consequently the issue of compensation does not arise given that the closure of the fishery was applied for conservation reasons under the Fisheries Acts. In that context I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that in the current economic climate the Government does not have funds available to provide for compensation payments.

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