Gallagher expresses reservations about salmon drift-net ban

Junior Minister for Transport Pat 'the Cope' Gallagher has expressed reservations about the Government's decision to ban drift-netting for salmon from next year.

The decision was taken by the Cabinet yesterday on foot of independent advice which said a ban was necessary to reverse a "disastrous" decline in salmon stocks in Irish rivers.

Despite the advice, Mr Gallagher claims the measure will not resolve the problem "overnight".

He also claims the Government has failed to recognise "the pain suffered by the commercial fishermen" who have seen their quotas reduced in recent years.