SHRFB Coarse Angling Permit

"Order of Business" in Seanad Éireann18th February 2003
(The following is an extract taken from the Debates of the Houses of the Oireachtas for 18/2/03. To view, goto www.irlgov.ie)

Mr. Leyden:

I ask the Leader to invite to the House the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources to debate the imposition of a €35 fee by the Shannon Fisheries Board for a yearly licence and an €18 charge for tourists for coarse fishing on the River Suck, the River Derryhippo, Stonehams Lake and adjoining tributaries in the area where I live. The Leader, who was practically born in the River Shannon, will be aware of the situation.

Mr. B. Hayes:

Like Moses.

Mr. Leyden:

The Leader who has been fishing from a very young age will realise this will cause huge damage to the tourism industry and coarse fishing in the area. It is a very selective charge because it does not apply on those parts of the River Shannon under the ownership of the ESB. The bailiffs were out recently reminding tourists that they could not fish the rivers in question. I cannot use my boat to fish on the little river flowing behind my land unless I pay a fee to the Shannon Fisheries Board for doing nothing on the river.

An Cathaoirleach:

Those are points for the debate.

Mr. Leyden:

Given that the Cathaoirleach is an avid fisherman, perhaps he will allow a debate on the issue.

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