Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 605: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of draft net fishermen who have been paid by the Loughs Agency to date; the number of fishermen paid under the drift net scrappage scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32138/07]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The Salmon Hardship Scheme adopted by the Loughs Agency is intended to provide a measure of relief to individuals in line with the level of hardship likely to be experienced on foot of the cessation of fishing for salmon arising from the closure of the interceptory fishery seaward of Lough Foyle and the reduction of commercial licences within the Lough. As a result the number of drift nets in the Foyle Area has reduced from 112 to 18 and draft nets from 50 to 12.

However, the necessary State Aid approval by the European Commission of the Hardship Scheme is still awaited and no payments have been made to date. I discussed the issue with the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development in Northern Ireland recently and we resolved that we would pursue the Commission for an urgent decision.

I am advised that as soon as approval is received, payments will commence.