John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 290: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will make a statement on the remit being given to the incoming National Salmon Commission to prepare a plan for determining total allowable catches for salmon at fishery district level from 2007. [28216/05]

John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 291: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the way in which he envisages total allowable catches of salmon will operate at district level from 2007 if drift netting at sea continues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28217/05]

John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 292: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the steps he will take to ensure that Ireland complies with the advice of the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas in view of the fact that returning salmon in 2004 only met their conservation limits in 14% of Ireland's wetted area; his views on whether the continuation of drift netting for salmon will be reconciled with this requirement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28218/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 290 to 292, inclusive, together.

Since taking up my appointment as Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, I have reaffirmed the Government's acceptance of the scientific advice that reductions in the overall fishing effort are required in order to sustain and rebuild salmon stocks nationwide. For this reason, current Government policy has been designed to bring spawning escapement up to the level of the scientifically advised conservation limits as soon as possible. In keeping with this policy, when setting the commercial salmon quotas for the 2005 season, I gave a firm commitment to fully align the exploitation of salmon, both at national and district levels, on the scientific advice by 2007.

In order to achieve this, I have asked the new National Salmon Commission to advise as to how best the alignment of exploitation of salmon with the scientific advice can be implemented by 2007, bearing in mind the requirement to ensure the future biological viability of the salmon resource in all catchments and also the needs of all stakeholders, including those who derive their living from the wild salmon resource.

In undertaking its remit, the National Salmon Commission will be required to consider what conservation management mechanisms may be required to achieve the alignment of national and district total allowable catches with the scientific advice given to it by the standing scientific committee. Scientific advice on Irish salmon stocks is based on International Council for the Exploration of the Seas recommendations. The full terms of reference which I have assigned to the National Salmon Commission are provided for in the National Salmon Commission (Terms of Reference) Order 2005 (SI No. 627 of 2005).

John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 293: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if having regard to the very significant benefits that Ireland derives from the set aside of the West Greenland and Faroese salmon fisheries, he will consider having Ireland contribute to the North Atlantic Salmon Fund's financing of compensation schemes for the fishermen affected by the set aside; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28219/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I understand that the North Atlantic Salmon Fund, NASF, is a private, non-governmental organisation. The Irish Government does not contribute to the financial operation of the organisation nor am I aware that any other national Government contributes towards the set aside of the West Greenland salmon fisheries. I am advised that the compensation provided by NASF for the Faroese set aside expired at least five years ago.