Written answers

Tuesday, 1 May 2018

Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment

Inland Fisheries

Photo of Marc MacSharryMarc MacSharry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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348. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if in addition to seeking funding from the Exchequer for financial supports for former eel fishermen who have been affected by the ban on eel fishing, he will also seek Exchequer funding for eel fishery owners who continue to pay annual rates even though eel fishing has been banned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18972/18]

Photo of Seán KyneSeán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) that in order to commercially fish for eel it was a requirement for any person, including fishery owners, to hold a fishing licence. I am also advised that the majority of eel fishery owners were also licensed by IFI to fish for eel and, therefore, would be included in the proposed support scheme for former fishermen which my officials have advised to the European Commission.

The rateable value of fisheries is set by the Valuation Office on a statutory basis.  It is a matter, in the first instance, for fishery owners to contact the Valuations Office as regards the possibility of amending the valuation in the light of current circumstances.  

IFI advise that many eel fishery owners have not paid rates since the closure of fisheries in 2009 based on the European Commission’s approval of Ireland’s Eel Management Plan under EU regulation 1100/2007.

Inland Fisheries Ireland is statutorily obliged to collect rates based on rateable valuation established by the Valuations Office, however, it has no statutory function in relation to that issue nor any power to amend rateable valuations.

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