The announcement of a compensation package for eel fishermen has been welcomed today (Tuesday) by Denis Naughten TD.
The package will be open to licensed or permitted former eel fishermen who were actively engaged in commercial eel fishery prior to 2008 and will assist those who have faced hardship as a result of the restrictions which were imposed.
Commenting on the compensation package, which was instigated during his time as Minister, Denis Naughten said: “I was the first Minister in 20 years to take action on this issue. While my predecessors brushed the issue under the carpet I felt the way the eel fisherman had been treated was unfair and I was determined to ensure that a package was put in place.”
The fund is available to all commercial eel licence holders who held a licence (or an eel fishing permit from the E.S.B.) in the 2007 season. A tax free sum may be paid to licence or permit holders in respect of each of the five reckonable years (2003-2007) for which they were a licence or permit holder. A further taxable payment may be made to licence or permit holders in respect of the average of their catches, based on State held records, during the five reckonable years (2003-2007)
The scheme will open on Monday 22nd October 2018 and close for applications at 5pm on 30th November 2018. Application forms and detailed information on the scheme, including supporting information required, appeals mechanisms etc, will be available from Inland Fisheries Ireland Offices and the IFI website www.fisheriesireland.ie from 22nd October.
ENDS.