Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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352. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if draft net fishing licences are reallocated if a licence holder passes away; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6512/14]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Salmon stocks in Ireland are assessed on an individual river basis because each river contains a genetically unique stock. The annual assessment is carried out by the independent Standing Scientific Committee for Salmon and underpins management decisions for the coming season.

Following scientific assessment and management advice, the surplus (if any) available in each river is established so that it may be apportioned between anglers and commercial fishermen. The annual Control of Fishing for Salmon Order comes into force around March each year prior to the commencement of the commercial fishing season.

This Order authorises the issue of commercial fishing licences by Inland Fisheries Ireland, sets out the criteria under which those licences may be issued and prescribes the maximum number of commercial licences which may be issued. I am arranging for a copy of the most recent order (S.I. No. 75 of 2013 for the 2013 season) to be forwarded to the Deputy and this is also available online at .

If the Deputy has a particular case in mind, I would be happy to have IFI personnel locally brief him on how the process is implemented.