Conaidhm na Slat Iascairi Bradan & Breac Geal
F.I.S.S.T.A.
www.fissta.com
Chairman: JOHN CARROLL, Kilcash House, Killcash, Co. Tippereary.Tel 052 21123
PRO & Secretary: NOEL CARR, Teelin Road, Carrick, Co. Donegal. Tel/Fax 074 9730300. 087 2352001 email: dgl1@indigo.ie
PRESS RELEASE

The Federation of Irish Salmon and Sea Trout Anglers (FISSTA) has pledged the support of it’s members to the National Association of Regional Game Councils (NARGC) in opposing the government’s proposal to apply a massive increase in firearms licence fees. The Finance Bill 2007 reveals plans to increase licence fees by an average of 56% without any consultation with the representative bodies for shooting. Shooting people all over the country are unbelievably angry with widespread threats to use their votes to punish the government. The annual shotgun licence, which currently is €25, will rise to €115 for three years and the current annual rifle licence of €38 will rise to €170 for three years. Worse still, a new training licence for young people who wish to take up the sport, but which will not allow them to own or possess a gun, has been rendered unworkable because of the cost. For a young person to undergo proper training in the safe use and handling of a shotgun and rifle, the licence fee will be €285.00. Yet a firearms dealer’s licence will be only €340!!
FISSTA and NARGC have co-operated with each other on several occasions in the past, most notably on ending drift netting of wild Atlantic salmon. FISSTA spokesman, Noel Carr, said that many people who fish also shoot and it is easy for his members to empathise with NARGC. We anglers well remember what the government tried to do to angling in the past with licence fees and we now face a similar confrontation on increased draft quotas and the taking of state waters from our affiliated clubs.
A very bitter rod licence dispute was the result in 1989 and some political careers ended with that dispute and for that reason alone it would be foolhardy of the government to proceed with these increases. The current proposals are nothing more than a very ill judged and crude attempt to use the licence fee to limit participation in the sport. It’s just another stealth tax rip-off”
FISSTA members in addition to their current campaign actions, will be contacting election candidates, especially those from the government parties, and asking them to justify the licence hike and why there was no consultation.