Public vandalism takes many forms. The demolition of Georgian Dublin, for example. Or the wilful smashing of trees in a public park. In the same vein, the Government is presiding over the destruction of our wild salmon stocks because of Fianna Fáil's parsimony and its unflagging regard for the votes of drift-net fishermen. Minister of State Pat the Cope Gallagher has ignored developmental and scientific advice and appears determined that nothing will halt the decline in salmon stocks before the next general election.
The common factor in all scientific advice involves an end to drift-net fishing. The Marine Institute, the Central Fisheries Board, international agencies and various tourism bodies are all clamouring for change to protect salmon stocks. Yesterday, they were joined by an Oireachtas committee - headed by a Fianna Fáil chairman - which recommended a single stock management system. Such an approach will require an end to drift-netting because of its indiscriminate destruction of salmon in rivers with healthy or threatened stock levels.
The Minister immediately ducked any decision-taking and asked the newly-reconstituted National Salmon Commission to advise him - once again - on how salmon stocks might be managed. At the same time, Mr Gallagher sought guidance on how he might implement scientific recommendations on catch levels, by 2007. This is the man who, earlier this year, set salmon catch quotas almost 40 per cent higher than those recommended by his scientific advisers.
It has been a disgraceful political performance. And it may cost Fianna Fáil dear. Already, the Progressive Democrats have recognised the popularity of the Labour Party and Green Party conservationist approach and have signalled their opposition to what passes for Government policy. They have even invited the Opposition parties to put down a motion of censure. A Dáil defeat on the issue would not bring down the Government. But it would certainly raise questions about its longevity. In the meantime, the Taoiseach will be appraised of the views of anglers when they picket the Fianna Fáil Ardfheis.
Nobody pretends that protecting wild salmon stocks and reconciling the various conflicting interests will be easy. Some anglers are just as greedy and self-serving as unscrupulous commercial fishermen. But a start must be made by the Government. Drift-netting should be ended quickly. And the 900 netsmen will have to be properly compensated. At the same time, individual fisheries will require investment, clarity of title and new management structures if the long-term public interest is to be served.