Sir, - The Fisheries Amendment Bill 1996 (Aquaculturey which is to be brought before the Dail on February II, is a model of simplicity and intent. It proposes, among other things, to legalise at a stroke, and retrospectively, all existing illegal and pending salmon farms, abolish rights of appeal to the courts, effectively to exclude all other relevant agencies from licensing decisions and grant licenses to farms for up to 20 years or in perpetuity.
This legislation could put fish farms on every river, lake, estuary and bay in Ireland. It abolishes our rights to fishing and recreation on them and, in affect, transfers ownership of these sites to the farm operators.
Mr Bruton, when he informed the present Government, spoke of transparency and open government. Does this include the active destruction of our environment and heritage? The abolition of our traditional rights with this most deceptive and un-Irish piece of legislation? - Yours, etc.
Chairman,
Western Gamefishing
Association,
Pond House,
Burrin, Co Clare.