Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for the response. He said various statutory stakeholders would be involved but the people I really want involved are the people involved in fishing. I have seen a proposal from the Kingfisher Angling club in Castleconnell, County Limerick. It was once renowned as an area for fishing but the stocks have reduced significantly, as they have in other parts, all the way up the Shannon. I grew up beside the headrace and I know the structure of Ardnacrusha and the fact the salmon have a problem getting up by the headrace. However, a man called Paddy Guerin has developed a simple plan to divert the salmon away from Ardnacrusha up the old river basin, that is, up the river instead of up the tailrace and the headrace, which are part of the Ardnacrusha structure. I want to make sure the people presenting this plan, which is based on experience and which is supported by the Federation of Irish Salmon and Sea Trout Anglers, can get a proper hearing. They feel the so-called experts are sometimes listened to more than the people who actually experience the river. I want to get information that this plan can be presented and will be taken seriously.

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