Noel Grealish (Galway West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 390: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if the Government has plans to buy salmon drift net licences from drift net fishermen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9962/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Government has consistently ruled out buyout as an effective means of achieving the restoration of salmon stocks and has instead, since 2002, promoted the application of quotas on commercial fishing and bag limits on angling to achieve catch reductions as the best instrument available to achieve this objective.

Moreover, no convincing case has been advanced as to the public good that would be acquired by the State in the context of a publicly funded buyout of commercial salmon licences nor why stakeholders benefiting from increased numbers of salmon entering the rivers should not contribute in whole or in part towards achieving that increase.

As a result, and as I have previously and consistently indicated to the House, I have no plans to introduce a buyout of commercial salmon fishing licences but I intend to keep the matter under review in the context of the policy outlined above. In this regard, I would be open to any relevant proposals presented to me whereby stakeholders benefiting from any reduction in commercial catch would engage in the first instance with licence holders and indicate a willingness to address any compensation issues that might arise.