Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 117: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his proposals to introduce a voluntary buy-out scheme for commercial drift net salmon fishermen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10008/06]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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To date, the Government has consistently ruled out buy-out as an effective means of achieving the restoration of salmon stocks. Instead, it has, since 2002, promoted the application of quotas on commercial fishing and bag limits on angling as the best instrument available to achieve catch reductions.

The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources has advised that any compensatory schemes should largely be funded by those stakeholders who would be the main economic beneficiaries of more salmon being free to return to the rivers. I draw the Deputy's attention to the committee's comment that "public moneys spent must have, as a primary aim, ensuring the survival of the salmon species and that this precept must be regarded as more important than any economic gain to any sector that may accrue".

It is clear that future policy must be designed to ensure the survival of the species, while balancing the interests of various stakeholders in regard to the quantum of catch that appears to be possible within the independent scientific advice and taking account of the detail of that advice in respect of location and types of fishing. I sound a note of caution, however, about any possible scheme designed to address the financial hardship associated with compliance with the scientific advice. I am advised there is no legal requirement to introduce any compensation scheme in the event of a curtailment of fishing effort on conservation grounds in accordance with the Fisheries Acts. In that context, expectations of high levels of monetary compensation are unrealistic. Similarly, and in consideration of equity in the matter, some meaningful contribution would be expected from the economic beneficiaries of a reduction in commercial fishing, whether that is delivered in cash or in kind.

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 118: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has knowledge or evidence of subversive involvement in salmon poaching; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10009/06]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I have no knowledge of subversive involvement in salmon poaching. If the regional fisheries boards, which are responsible for the protection of these fisheries, had such knowledge and were unable to deal with the matter themselves, I would expect it to be brought to the attention of the Garda Síochána.