Liam Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 185: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if a seat on the National Salmon Commission will be allocated to the snap net fishermen's alliance who have held a seat on this commission since its inception and who have no input into the current negotiations on salmon policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39479/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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In the exercise of the powers conferred on me, as Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, by section 55A, inserted by section 22(1) of the Fisheries Act 1999, of the Fisheries Act 1980, I included 34 organisations in the National Salmon Commission (Prescribed Bodies and Organisation) Order 2005, S.I. 626 of 2005, which I signed on 28 September 2005. I can confirm that the Barrow Nore Suir Snap Net Fishermen's Alliance is one of these organisations.

The Fisheries Acts, however, provide that not more than 16 members of the commission shall be appointed from among those nominated by the prescribed representative bodies and organisations. As such, inclusion on the prescribed list cannot convey an automatic right for any particular body or organisation to have its nominee appointed to the commission.

As the Deputy can see, the number of bodies and organisations seeking to have representation on the National Salmon Commission was far in excess of the number of places available. As a result, it was not possible to appoint all nominees, including those of organisations previously represented on the commission. I believe however, that the selected membership will ensure that all relevant stakeholders, including snap net fishermen, are fairly represented at the commission.

The commission has the function of assisting and advising me on the conservation, management, protection and development of the national salmon resource in accordance with the detailed terms of reference set out in the National Salmon Commission (Terms Of Reference) Order 2005, S.I. 627 of 2005. I can confirm, however, that the terms of reference for the new National Salmon Commission provide that the commission will consult and engage as appropriate in a proactive dialogue with the Barrow Nore Suir Snap Net Fishermen's Alliance and all of the other prescribed bodies and organisations listed in the 2005 order.

I am satisfied that through these terms of reference, all of the prescribed bodies and organisations will have the opportunity to have their interest recognised and that any proposals that they may have in regard to the conservation, management, protection and development of the national salmon resource will be fully considered and evaluated by the National Salmon Commission during its current term of office.