asked the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism if he will consult with Bord Fáilte Éireann regarding the more active promotion of coarse fishing as a tourist attraction.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Promotion of Coarse Fishing.
5.
I am satisfied that Bord Fáilte are giving priority to the active promotion of this country's coarse fishing attractions in their overseas marketing of tourism.
During 1985 Bord Fáilte organised or participated in a wide range of coarse angling promotions in Britain and the Continent and plans are well advanced for maintaining this programme in 1986.
Will the Minister agree that, while there is great potential for the development of coarse fishing, only a small amount of such work has been carried out? That sport does not depend on good weather as was evidenced this year. Will the Minister agree that coarse fishing has not been developed?
Angling makes a major contribution to the tourism industry. It penetrates into areas that have little other economic development such as the lakelands area of Counties Cavan, Monaghan and Leitrim, the Shannon area and down to the Blackwater. In 1984 Bord Fáilte expended £38,000 in promoting angling. The net result is that of the total number of angling tourists coming to Ireland from Britain and the Continent 60 per cent are concerned with the coarse fishing sector in which the Deputy is interested. In 1985, Bord Fáilte increased the expenditure on promotion in this field to £87 million — a 129 per cent increase.
Could the Minister say that figure again?
In 1984 it was £38,000 and in 1985 £87,000.
The Minister said £87 million first.
That is an increase of 129 per cent. Bord Fáilte are determined to intensify the promotional marketing in this area. They realise the major contribution that angling has made to the total of the Irish tourism industry.
Could I remind the Minister that the three counties mentioned which have that potential are completely under-used and under-developed and they will become more so because the regional tourism boards are suffering under this Government's cutback policies at present? We were told recently by the development officer of the board in question that they had not the money.
A question, Deputy.
The potential is there for development but the figures that the Minister has trotted out do not give the factual position.
I would assure the Deputy that Bord Fáilte have outlined a specific programme for 1985.
There is no doubt about what I say.
In addition, incentive grants for promotion are also available to those in the accommodation sector who cater for this valuable part of the tourist industry.
That is still not enough.
Would the Minister agree that, as is generally believed, promotion by local groups in Britain is far more effective than the total promotion by Bord Fáilte?
I thoroughly agree with the Deputy and Bord Fáilte are encouraging this by giving grant aid to the individuals or communities involved in that development. I hope that this development will be further expanded.