Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour) | Oireachtas source

As the Minister of State, Deputy O'Dowd, knows only too well since September 2006, angling on the River Boyne has all but ceased with the exception of some sea trout fishing by a small number of anglers in mid-summer. This is a sad development for those who traditionally fished on the River Boyne and the many young people who wish to engage in salmon fishing and experience what angling has to offer.

The Castletown River in Louth and the Dee and Glyde Rivers are also subject to strict salmon catch and release policy. Recently Deputy Hannigan and I met representatives of the north east federation of salmon anglers to discuss their legitimate concerns about the implementation of the catch and release policy and some of the assumptions underlying it. Clubs such as the Drogheda and District Anglers Club, the Rossin, Slane and District Angling Club and the Dee and Glyde club and others see themselves as responsible custodians of the river.

They have been raising concerns for some time about the methodology applied to many rivers in Louth and Meath which have, essentially, copperfastened the catch-and-release policy since 2006. As the Minister of State, Deputy O'Dowd, is aware, the fishermen want to work in partnership with Inland Fisheries Ireland. They have asked questions about the methodology applied that in their view have yet to be adequately addressed by the authorities. It is my firm opinion from speaking with those involved that a review of the policy is timely, taking on board the relevant and experienced views and evidence supplied by local anglers, fishing clubs and federations in the area.

See this speech in context