Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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164. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will consider a compensation package for draft net fishermen allowed to fish on tidal stretches of the River Feale as they have not been allowed to fish on the river since 2019 due to reduction in stock figures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48069/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Commercial salmon fishing licences are public licences which must be taken out annually under the provisions of the Fisheries Acts. Such licences are entirely permissive in nature, confer no rights on the licensee, are not the property of the holder nor can they be held on a permanent basis.

In that context the issue of compensation does not arise. In addition, given the nature of the public licences they are not inheritable or capable of transfer or sale.

In 2007, the Government established a €25m hardship scheme open to all holders of a commercial salmon licence. The majority of active fishers availed of payment under the measure and the scheme closed in 2008 with all funds expended.

There are no plans to re-introduce a similar scheme.

Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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165. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his Department has any plans to purchase the Abhainn Mhór/Owenmore fishery near An Leithtruigh, Corca Dhuibhne. [48229/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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My Department has no plans to purchase any fishery. Under Section 60 of the Inland Fisheries Act 2010, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is empowered to acquire fisheries in accordance with that Section, subject to the necessary Ministerial authorisations. IFI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that queries regarding operational matters can be addressed promptly, in line with IFI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@fisheriesireland.ie