John Dardis (Progressive Democrats)

One could not contemplate losing a species that has been so central to Irish life, culture and mythology. I recommend that Members read the report of the group because it is balanced and fair. It is important to state there is pain across the board. There is significant pain for drift net fishermen and also for anglers and others. This has been pointed out in the report. It states there should be single stock management in rivers, which will involve the closure of several rivers to everybody who harvests the fish. It is therefore not just a matter for coastal communities.

Of course we are fully conscious of the impact on coastal communities and of the nature of such communities. However, we must also think about guides on rivers, who will be out of jobs and who will receive no compensation. Most of them are self-employed and not by the landowners or fishery owners. Let us be fair and acknowledge that the ban has an impact on entire rural communities.

Some years ago I heard game fishing was worth €10 million to the economy of Connemara. What did we do only destroy the sea trout? We are now in the process of destroying the salmon. There is a wider issue to be considered in terms of tourism and the environment and the Government's responsibility to the latter.

The expert group said the compensation scheme was "fair and proportionate". It involves a six-year multiplier on an average catch over five years. I do not have much sympathy for those who caught fish illegally and now expect to be compensated as a result. There should be a verifiable catch on the basis of tags.