Conference tallis::celt

    The major problem with the 'rod licences' it seems to me is the
    use of the word "licence". Had CJH (that Irish Solution to an Irish
    Problem) been more canny and called it a Fishery Development Bond
    the nation would have scrambled to do it's patriotic duty.
    
    When the R.C church introduced Planned Giving in the 1960s they
    had more sense than to say that Tithes were being reintoduced (
      ...with no taxes or tithes to devour up our wages
       while we're on the green field of Americay)
     

    
    I have yesterdays (thurs) Irish Times in front of me - the MAIN
    headline on the front page is:
    
    	     ANGLERS IN WEST DECIDE TO RENEW LICENCE BOYCOTT
    
    This reads like serious stuff - I have heard that people are slashing
    anglers car tires and other various 'rough' tactics - what I want
    to know is whats the hullabaloo about?!?  I mean its only a rod
    licence for heavens sake, surely the proceeds will go to some sort
    of fishing organisation which will improve the fisherpersons lot
    in the country?  Anyway seems to me to be a big fuss over realatively
    little - its not as if the licence is a horrendous amount - when
    you consider that 6million punts have already been lost to tourism...
    I mean whats 15 punts (trout) and 10 punts (coarse) to pay if its
    your livliehood or hobby?!?  And WHY dont they object similarly
    to the increase to 25 punts for the salmon licence...
        
    Ive included some of the report...
    
    Ann
                                  
    The anglers and boatmen of the west of Ireland last nite unanimously
    decided to reactivate their anti-rod licence campaign and impose
    a fishing ban from tomorrow morning.
    
    At an angry meeting in this angling resort between Loughs Corrib
    and Mask, they voted to take all boats off the western lakes and
    enforce a boycott once more.  The boats will start coming off the
    lakes at 10 in the morning.
    
    The ban is expected to be enforced totally on Loughs Corrib, Mask
    and Carra in the south Mayo-Galway region, as it had been before
    last weeks 'ceasefire'/  An almost complete ban will be imposed
    on Lough Conn in north Mayo where some anglers support the licence,
    and partial bans will also be placed on most other lakes in Connacht,
    Clare and Donegal.
    
    The only hope of averting this drastic action lies in an agreement
    by the hundreds attending the meeting that they might reconsider
    if meaningful and credible peace proposals come for the Government.
    The hope is that the mediator in the increasingly bitter dispute
    - the Archbishop of Tuam, Dr Joseph Cassidy - might be approached
    by the Government with som form of settlement offer.
    
    The meeting heard that Dr Cassidy had earlier issued a statement
    indicating that his services as a mediator were still readily available
    but stressing that there should be no possibility of a misunderstanding
    in any new settlement terms.
    
    The decision to reimpose the boycott which already has cost losses
    in tourist earnings of $6 million was the direct result of the action
    by baliffs in the northwestern region checking for rod licences
    on Lough Arrow, Co. Sligo on tuesday.  Since last weeks truce the
    fishermen had believed they could go out onto the lakes without
    any chances of being bothered by the bailiffs.
    
    Last nights meeting also agreed to mount demonstrations against
    an international angling competition due to be hled on Lough Conn,
    Co Mayo this weekend.  The anglers and boatmen are to contact fishermen
    on the continent, in northern Ireland and Britain and ask them not
    to take part in the competition.
    
    As the fishermen were meeting, the Archbishop of Tuam issued the
    following statement:
                                                             
    "I became involved in this dispute for pastoral reasons.  I shared
    the concern of the clergy in the parishes around the western lakes
    that a lot of bitterness was developing in the local communities
    and that the livelihood of many people in the tourist industry was
    being put at risk."
    
                       ...and so it goes on...

    
    
    
    
    	SHOOT the fish
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    	keVin

    Sorry to snipe at the suggestion in .3 but it's closed season for
    trout shooting. I suppose they could try shooting the mayfly?
    

    DO YOU REALLY THINK THAT THE MONEY COLLECTED FOR THE LICENCES WOULD
    BE USED ON THE TROUT FISHERIES. I SUPPOSE NEXT I'LL BE TOLD THAT
    CAR TAX IS USED ON THE ROADS.
    		I USED TO LIVE IN SLIGO AND FISHED THE BALLISODARE/COOLONY
    RIVER FOR TROUT (YOU PAID EXTRA FOR FISHING SALMON). THE CLUB PAID
    �4000 IN RATES EACH YEAR AND THE ONLY THING THE GOVERNMENT EVER
    DID WAS TO TRY AND BACK A POWER STATION ON THE RIVER (ONE OF THE
    BEST SALMON RIVERS IN IRELAND) WHICH WOULD HAVE DESTROYED IT. THE
    LOCAL GOVERNEMENT ARE NEVER HEARD FROM. 
        	IS IT ANY WONDER ANGLERS ARE ANNOYED.
    
    EAMON
    	

    Paying the government a fee for fishing Irish lochs makes the
    government the licensor, and thus gives them power over decision
    making.  Big European fishing companies would love nothing more
    than control over Irish waters for their investment, and the license
    fee is one step away from possible government allocation of waters
    to these companies for fisheries, fish-farming, etc...
    
    It's more than just a fee.

    re: .0
    
    Joe	-  you need a licence to fish in the fountain of knowledge.  
                                                      
    -Dermot