b) The establishment of an independent non-judicial appeals procedure for firearms licensing. At present a firearms licence appeal can only be made to the courts, which means a cost to an individual of thousands of pounds. In practical terms, this cost level means that in many cases people are denied access to an appeals procedure.

c) An immediate buyout of drift netting off the Irish coast which now threatens the Atlantic wild salmon with extinction within a period as short as five years. Despite a promise by Minister Fahey to impose quotas, it is now certain that up to a half a million salmon could once again this season be slaughtered as netting continues. At present, Ireland is alone internationally in permitting this damaging practice and has come in for severe international criticism to buyout these nets now. Over 90% of the licensed netsmen are already prepared to sell on conservation grounds. We need the Minister for the Marine to make that deal now!

d) A state funding scheme dedicated to game conservation, research and education, for game fish or other game fauna, under the administration of both associations. At present, salmonid fishing and hunting interests are the only ones, which pay millions of pounds, each year in licence fees to the state, quite apart from other substantial revenue associated with their sporting activities, which in the case of N.A.R.G.C. amounts to in excess of IR£21 million per annum.

In conlusion of the presentation, Vice Chairman Anthony Kearney said "Only through cooperation and efficient management of our valuable resources will all parties realise our common objectives to conserve our wild Atlantic salmon and the future of angling".

Notice of these meetings were sent to the chief whips and the spokespersons for each party and were asked to respond to our four issues of concern. Written responses of support had been received from three of the main parties, Fine Gael, Labour and the Progressive Democrats prior to this meeting in Galway.

As in the Kerry meeting, all Members of the Oireachtas in the Galway East and West constituencies were cordially invited to attend this second joint public meeting to hear and respond to the concerns of our members as they head into the general election campaign. The meeting heard speeches of support from Fine Gael TD Padraic Mc Cormac, Labour TD Michael D. Higgins, PD TD and Junior Minsiter for Housing, Bobby Molloy, Fianna Fail Senator Margaret Cox, Green Party candidate Neil O' Brollachain, and Sinn Fein candidate Sean Mac Coistealbha.

Minister Fahey Confirms he received Buckley Report - Will publish it on Monday 8th April.

Minister Fahey praised the presentation given by both FISSTA and the NARGC and went on to publicly support our four issues as previously sent to him before the Kerry meeting held on March 1st in Killarney. With regards to the present evictions in Kerry, the Minister held up the Buckley report which he promised to publish on Monday 8th April but said that he would not divulge the contents, except to say that they will be favourable to the anglers.

With regard to the buyout of the driftnets, the Minister ridiculed the calls by FISSTA to pay the netsmen to stop fishing by repeating his claims that only the fishermen that are catching the least want a buyout. To groans of disbelief from the large crowd the Minister stated that he will pursue his alternative option through the implementation of quotas as announced last month.
Following the Ministers address the meeting sought member responses from the floor. Many of the responses were very critical of the Minister's failure to save the wild atlantic salmon and seatrout and to stop the evicitons in Kerry, Donegal and Mayo.

The most impassioned plea by far came from Kerry Angling Federation spokesperson, Jerome Dowling who told the Minister clearly that no matter what assurances he gave to anglers, his fishery boards are doing the opposite on the ground and enforcing evictions by the non renewal of leases - leases that have been in place for generations. Under no circumstances will Irish anglers tolerate evictions under the guise of Catchment Management as imposed in Kerry since Jan 1st and in Donegal since 1998, by state landlords, Duchas or Central Fishery Board. Mr Dowling addressing the brown trout anglers of the West, read from a document which confirmed that management of lakes were also included under Catchment Management plans by the state.

"It was and still is within the power of Minister Fahey to scrap it to allow security of tenure to return to angling clubs nationwide or face the consequences at this general election." said Mr Dowling.

Chairman of Irish Salmon Netsmen Association, Mr Patsy Perril refuted what the Minister said taht only "those catching the least are seeking a buyout" by confirming that over 90% of registered netsmen would accept a buyout if offered but none has been forthcoming. He appealed to the Minister to engage now before he goes into election mode. He warned of the dangers ahead by predicting that the Laune Catchment Manangement Programme sanctioned by the Dept of the Marine under his watch would cost the taxpayer of this country far more than the price of a buyout and speed the demise of the salmon.

Chairman of the Donegal Anglers Federtation Mr Paddy Boyle outlined to the Minister how his club, the Creeslough Anglers, have been treated since they were evicted from their waters in 1996. The mangement of their fishery has been taken from them and the spaces given to the visiting anglers by the Northern Regional Fishery Board. In 1998, local club members were permitted to fish from 7pm to 8am and only after the visiting anglers had finished angling for the day. As their fishery opens on Jan 1st it meant local anglers were literally left in the dark - to fish. Despite a sustained campaign since that time by FISSTA, our status remains EVICTED. This is what is planned for every angling club that is evicted from their waters by non renewal of leases. Mr Boyle warned "If clubs lose their lease, then you lose the management of your waters. Only by granting security of tenure will the Minister deliver on what he has promised here tonight and pave the way towards cooperation".

Secretary of the Galway City Salmon Club, Billy Smith questioned the Minister on why he broke the "no quotas on anglers" promise given to anglers just after 11 months. The trebling of aquaculture funding was enviromentally irresponsible as his own scientists confirmed in January 2001 that fish farms were the source for the dreaded sealice that kills migrating salmonid.

Following many passionate and sometimes angry contributions from the members in the hall, the conclusion of the meeting was to await the impending publication of the Buckley Report on Monday 8th April before taking further action on the eviction of our affilliated clubs in Donegal, Kerry, and Mayo. However, the Minister was left in no doubt that it was not just a Kerry problem, it was a national issue and only a secure tenure for all clubs nationally would resove the impasse. Sadly, due to time constraints there was no opportunity to debate further the new quota system. While it may in the longterm improve the structure, the six week nets bonanza continues as the same amount of wild atlantic salmon is likely to be slaughtered by nets this coming season as Minister Fahey contemplates further restrictions on the rod angler.

The meeting concluded by the politicians and all present being thanked for the constructive and dignified manner in which all members participated in the debate to further our respective licensed sports.

Noel Carr