Fishing Industry

Tuesday, 13 January 2026

Questions (332)

Pat Buckley

Question:

332. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to consider a buyout of all draft nets on the Blackwater and country wide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74463/25]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

Following a ban in 2006 on mixed-stock drift net fishing at sea, a once-off hardship and decommissioning scheme was introduced under which commercial licences and fishing capacity were permanently surrendered in return for compensation payments.

Licence holders who did not participate in that scheme, primarily those operating draft nets in estuarine fisheries, remained eligible to apply for commercial licences under a licencing framework whereby licences are issued on an annual basis and confer permission to fish only in accordance with regulations in force for a given year.

I am conscious of the concerns raised by stakeholders regarding the future of the remaining draft net fishery. However, any proposal for a buy-out scheme would represent a significant policy and financial intervention and such a scheme is not currently under consideration.

Question No. 333 answered with Question No. 330.