Michelle Mulherin (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have given this issue fresh impetus because Bord Iascaigh Mhara, BIM, appeared before the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine and informed us of the science involved. Even under the precautionary approach, there is a surplus. By default, IFI gets to say what happens to all wild fish, but that was not envisioned by the report. Previously, the National Salmon Commission advised on quotas for fishermen and processors each year when there was commercial fishing. IFI has a certain view on tourism. I do not know why Fáilte Ireland branded Ballina the salmon capital of Ireland if anglers already knew it was there. There is a tourism pull and we have built many festivals around it, but one cannot get salmon on the menu. They are caught in the River Moy.

The report, which was worked on by Professor Tom Collins from Maynooth, the former Secretary General of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Mr. John Malone, and Mr. Padraic White of the IDA, called for a model to be devised for the distribution of surplus on a regional and national basis that would involve stakeholders like the tourism sector, fish processors, Government representatives and anglers making decisions. Let it not just be done by IFI. There is no conservation issue that will not be taken into account. We must do this. It is for the public good. Taxpayers' money has been spent. I call on the Minister of State to take action, review the report and do what makes sense, that is, allow wild salmon to be available on menus in the River Moy catchment area.