Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 7: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if the serious concerns of the snap net fishermen on the River Suir will be immediately addressed and remedied in relation to the total disruption of this fishery as a result of the installation of outfall diffusers on the bed of the Suir by South Tipperary County Council; if he will report on whether these diffusers are installed in breach of the Foreshore Acts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14376/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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South Tipperary County Council has located outfall pipes, with diffusers, for the new Carrick-on-Suir waste water treatment plant in the River Suir. Representatives of snap net fishermen who operate on the river expressed the view to the Department that the location of the outfall diffusers is likely to cause disruption to their operations by creating a snagging or fouling hazard for their nets. In light of these concerns, a report on the matter was obtained from the Department's engineering division. This report advised that the outfall diffusers and the associated navigation buoy would have an effect on snap net fishing but that this effect could only be described as minor. Specifically, the report was of the view that any effect would be limited to a comparatively small area in the local vicinity of the diffusers.

As I indicated in my reply to Question No. 81 of 10 March 2005, officials of the Department would be prepared to meet representatives of the fishermen concerned to afford them an opportunity to detail their concerns about the works in question. I understand this meeting, which will also be attended by officials of South Tipperary County Council, is scheduled to take place today. Careful consideration will be given to issues that the fishermen's representatives raise at the meeting. The formal granting of a licence under the Foreshore Acts in respect of the outfall is being finalised. I am anxious to have the matter resolved in the interests of all the parties concerned.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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I thank the Minister of State for his reply. It says something for parliamentary questions that on the day we have a question down, a significant meeting is taking place. I commend the Minister of State and my colleague, Councillor Denis Landy, from south Tipperary, who has valiantly represented the fishermen concerned over recent years.

The issue arose when South Tipperary County Council put outhold diffusers in the bed of the river near Carrick-on-Suir. It is incredible that it did not apply at that stage to the Minister for a foreshore licence. Is the Minister of State now confirming that there is no foreshore licence and that the works were illegal? The fishermen concerned are from lower income households who would have supplemented their incomes through their fishing licences. They have suffered a grave loss. They tell me that on a north haul they have lost 100 yards of haul because of the presence of these structures on the bed of the river, that at the top of the haul the buoy is in the way and they lose another 50 yards and that a tributary of the great River Suir, Ballylynch River, is blocked from pipes downstream and is filling up with silts. They say also that when flooding occurs in the area, fisheries at that location are seriously eroded. I welcome that a meeting is taking place between South Tipperary County Council and the fishermen but if the foreshore process was not legally gone through, is it the case that it must start again from scratch and the fishermen compensated for this loss of livelihood?

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I accept that the Deputy wants to give credit to his colleague but I would like to record the interest of my parliamentary colleague, Deputy Davern, on this issue. It is fortuitous that this meeting is taking place today. It was not designed that way——

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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A lucky coincidence.

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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——but we will both take credit if the matter is resolved. My advice is that the effect could be described as minor but I will examine the issues raised by the Deputy and the effect he says this work is having on the snap net fisheries.

On the legality of the work, I must be blunt and say that the county council should not have commenced outfall work on the foreshore until the foreshore licence was in place and it was advised as such by letter in January 2004. We are in this position now, however, and we are talking about the common good. We all favour, particularly those in Tipperary, the importance of the waste water treatment plant that was developed by South Tipperary County Council as an integral part of the local authorities programme for developing and upgrading sewage treatment facilities throughout the country. That plant came into operation last year. There is a common good factor here. It is not a question of repercussions or the blame game. After the meeting today, on which I hope to have a report fairly soon, the focus will be on ensuring that the position is regularised satisfactorily in the interests of all concerned. I hope that will be done as soon as possible.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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It is remarkable that the local authority in question was informed of the need for the licence but did not proceed. Questions must be asked about the local authority's relationship with the Department and its management of the legislation.

The River Suir, like many rivers in the south east and on the east coast, is under severe pressure with salmon numbers far below conservation limits. That we are heading towards potential extinction of salmon on that river will be of concern to snap net commercial fishermen. What does the Minister of State intend to do to ensure salmon run the river in sufficient numbers to provide a commercial future for snap net fishermen on the river? What specific measures will best ensure the survival of the salmon stock into the future?

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Even if we were here until 6 p.m., we would not have sufficient time to debate the matter.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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We can start.

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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We have discussed it on a number of occasions. The Deputy wants me to go through what has been done and the decisions which have been taken by the Government over a number of years on commercial fishing. I am aware of the Green Party campaign in which the Deputy was involved on foot of which the Department received 4,000 cards, though one would have been sufficient for me to read. Green Party representatives were very welcome when they came to my constituency. They would have been very welcome in west Donegal.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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North Donegal.

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I presume Green Party representatives in Donegal adopt their party's policy. Despite what has been said by the Green Party, I have no baggage in this area and am completely objective. I am trying to find a balance between the interests of the commercial fishing sector and angling and tourism. We have made advances, including a reduction from 220 to 139, from 12 miles to six miles and the putting in place of a three-year strategy. Towards the end of the third year, the scientists decided to change from a 50% risk assessment to a 75% risk assessment. Thanks to Deputy Gilmore, monofilament netting——

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Minister of State should not drag me into it.

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy was helpful.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Minister of State should not use me as cover.

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Measures taken include the four-day week. I am anxious to ensure we find a balance and that we have a sustainable fishery. I hope we will have more time to discuss the matter on another day.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The Minister of State failed to provide a response on how we will look after the specific interests of commercial fishermen on the Suir. The problem is that he cannot do so under current policy.

I assure the Minister of State that Green Party members nationally are very much behind the campaign I organised. Have members of the Minister of State's party expressed doubts or interest on current Government policy? Is the Minister of State confident that Fianna Fáil Party members in the south east are fully supportive of the policy he has adopted?

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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I wish to return to the original point which involved the 70 or 80 families in Carrick-on-Suir whose livelihoods are deeply affected. I welcome the Minister of State's intention to have a meeting today and his statement that the matter will be resolved as soon as possible. Can I tell the families the matter will be resolved in the next number of months? It is the key point. I expect that in its general election manifesto, Fianna Fáil will make promises in this respect.

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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After today's meeting, I will receive a report and communicate directly with Deputy Broughan. I will be anxious to achieve resolution.

Deputy Eamon Ryan will never be in the position of membership of a broadly based party like Fianna Fáil which represents every parish in the country. It is inevitable that there will be divergent views within our party. I have had discussions with many Deputies from the south east as well as with inland representatives who have very strong views on the matter. They appreciate the balanced approach I have adopted which accords with Government policy.

Séamus Pattison (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
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Question Time is concluded.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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There is a minute left.