David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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457. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the policy of his Department in respect of maintaining fish weirs here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33600/16]

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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458. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the maintenance grants available to the owners of active and inactive fish weirs here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33601/16]

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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459. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the policy with regard to the paying of commercial rates on fish weirs; if rates still apply if they are inactive; if any exemptions apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33602/16]

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 457 to 459, inclusive, together.

I understand that the weirs referred to by the Deputy are in the Waterford Estuary and are essentially “fishing engines” within the meaning of the Fisheries Acts. Waterford Estuary has been closed as a salmon fishery since 2006, as the requirement, that each individual stock originating in the three contributing rivers (Suir, Nore and Barrow) must all exceed their individual conservation limits (CL), is not being met.

I am advised that the maintenance and repair of such weirs is the responsibility of the owner of the weir. There is no voted funding provision in my Department for such matters nor are there any grant schemes relating to the maintenance of historical fish weirs. There is no public funding resource to facilitate maintenance and repair of privately owned infrastructure.

The owner of a fishery should apply to the Valuations Office for a revaluation of their rated fishery.