Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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192. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the arrangement that will be put in place for an eel hardship fund further to budget 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44426/17]

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Ireland’s Eel Management Plan (EMP) under EU Regulation 1100/2007, which included a closure of commercial fishing, was approved by the European Commission in 2009. Ireland's EMP and its conservation measures were reviewed in 2012 and in 2015, in accordance with the EU Regulation. Both reviews involved an examination of the latest scientific data and the conservation measures, the results of which were the subject of public consultations.

In that context, I recognise fully the difficulty facing eel fishermen. However, there is no property right attaching to public eel licences. Notwithstanding, the possibility of implementing support measures for eel fishermen is a matter under consideration.

Both I and the Minister have also discussed the issue of eels with ESB Fisheries who are fishery owners in this context.