Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 642: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the cost structure for a licence to fish on rivers and lakes here; if there is a different cost in place for pensioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17891/08]

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 643: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the body responsible for the issuing of licences to fish in rivers and lakes here; the last time the cost of licences to fish in rivers and lakes was increased; the amount they were increased by; the reason for the increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17892/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 642 and 643 together.

Under the Fisheries Acts, primary responsibility for the management, conservation, protection and development of the inland fisheries resource and in this case, the issue of licences, rests with the Central and Regional Fisheries Boards. Licence duties are increased on an annual basis and such increases are in line with the Consumer Price Index. Licence duties are set by me, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, at rates recommended by the National Fisheries Management Executive (Fisheries Boards Managers) and endorsed by the National Salmon Commission.

In 2007, as part of a suite of conservation measures for the management of the wild salmon fishery, a salmon conservation component was applied to all licences. This component represents 50% of the licence fee and income generated from the component is dedicated by the Regional Fisheries Boards for the rehabilitation of salmon habitats and conservation measures throughout the country. All of the proceeds of the licence fee income are reinvested, by the fisheries boards, in the conservation, protection and development of wild salmon fisheries habitat and stocks.

The Salmon Rod Ordinary Licences (Alteration of Licence Duties) Order 2007 S.I. 794 of 2007 gives details of the current licence fees, including the conservation component, effective from 1 January 2008. The 2008 full cost of an annual salmon licence is €134; a Salmon rod (annual) district licence is €64; a Salmon rod (twenty-one day) licence is €50 and a Salmon rod (one-day) ordinary licence is €36. Further details are available on my Department's website at www.dcenr.gov.ie.

There are no plans to apply a reduced rate for anglers other than juveniles for whom a licence costs €20 per annum. Any such reduction would require amendments to the licensing regime provided for in the primary legislation.