asked the Minister for the Marine the proposals his Department have to promote marine sport angling and to provide a comprehensive plan for inland fisheries development based on the recently published ERSI report (details supplied).
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Marine Sport Angling.
1.
As the Deputy will recall I announced on 4 November last that I had instructed my Department to expedite the preparation of a development plan for inland fisheries and, in particular, for sport angling in the context of the preparation of programmes to be linked to the EC Structural Funds.
The preparation of these plans is proceeding apace in consultation with the regional fisheries boards and the central fisheries board. Local development requirements are being identified and brought to the notice of the regional groups that have been charged with preparing regional plans for EC Structural Funds purposes.
The recent ESRI report is an extremely welcome document as it provides valuable background material and insights into the economic characteristics and benefits of inland fisheries. The challenge now — and this is the task of the plans which are being prepared — is to develop the specific policies and programmes, to carefully cost these and identify the benefits so as to provide the justification for increased investment from whatever source in the sector. Any progress in this area will, of course, require the full cooperation of all the interests involved.
Would the Minister be more specific: is he in a position at this stage to outline to the House the details of the proposals submitted by the coastal regions in relation to marine sport angling? What is the precise approach being adopted by his Department in this area? What plans have the Department and what are the guidelines they recommend be adhered to by those interested in sport angling in the different regions? Furthermore, would he be more specific in relation to inland fisheries because, since he assumed office, this matter has been discussed on numerous occasions? Could he outline in detail the development plans within his Department for inland fisheries development? It is a contentious issue which has been raised on numerous occasions.
I appealed for brevity and the Deputy knows why.
Could the Minister inform us of the proposals of the various regional fisheries boards in regard to the development of fisheries within their regions?
The ESRI report to which the Deputy refers was published very recently. Its contents have been drawn to the attention of each of the regional fisheries boards and the central fisheries board. Long before then I had clearly identified the necessity for drawing up an overall development plan for inland fisheries and sought the views of the regional fisheries boards and the central fisheries board in its preparation. I am not prepared to be specific at this point because the plan has not been finalised. I can say that work is in progress on it. If the Deputy has any valid proposals she thinks should be incorporated in it, we would welcome receiving them.