asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport the income in 1987 from angling tourism; and the projected income in 1988.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Angling Tourism Income.
7.
Latest figures available for revenue generated from angling tourism relate to 1986 and amount to £41.8 million, of which £35.5 million was from out of State. Final figures for 1987 will not be available until April but indications are that they will show a modest increase on 1986. At this stage it is not possible to forecast what the situation is likely to be in 1988, but Bord Fáilte are confident that the rising trend will be maintained
The Minister must surely have some trepidation about the effect of the introduction of the rod licence fee. Is the Minister confident that the figure will be maintained or increased in view of the hostility which has been engendered by the rod fishermen?
The rod licence fee is a separate matter. The Deputy ought to put down a question to the appropriate Minister in respect of that matter.
I asked for the projected figure for 1988 and that is very much tied up with the rod licence fee.
The rod licence fee is a matter for another Minister.
Has the Minister had any discussions with his colleague in the Department of the Marine who is here with us at present in acknowledging that there is a problem in some of the rivers in that there is a severe lack of fish running in the rivers? This is being caused by the overfishing of our stocks by mono-filament nets at sea. This is happening particularly off the south and south-east coasts which had a growing tourism angling industry but which are now suffering drastically. Have there been any interdepartmental discussions on how best to get around this matter if we want to develop angling which I believe has huge potential?
I have had plenty of discussions with the Minister for the Marine and it is his objective to invest moneys in both the protection and development of fisheries. That is as he informed me.
I want to clarify one aspect of the Minister's answer. The question related to income in 1987 and he gave the figures for 1986 as £41.8 million. Can the Minister give us more clarification on who the income was for. What was the revenue take for the State out of those moneys?
The fact of the matter is that it is income to this country. That is the basis on which the figures are prepared. It includes accommodation, whatever purchases are made by anglers, etc. It is the full amount of money earned from anglers.
Can the Minister give any indication of the moneys paid by anglers to the State for the facilities of using rivers and other fisheries?
As of now, and until the Minister's law is in place, there is very little direct payment. That is not to say that there is not a huge income. In fact, I mentioned the millions of pounds that come from this sport to the country.