Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 25 Jul 1996

Vol. 468 No. 4

Written Answers. - Tubber (Clare) Lough.

Tony Killeen

Question:

296 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht his views on recreational and tourist fishing on Lough Bunny, Tubber, County Clare; and if he will have arrangements made to facilitate access to the lake. [15884/96]

Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht (Mr. M. Higgins)

The greater portion of Lough Bunny, with some adjoining lands, have been acquired by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department. These areas are now included in the Burren National Park.

Recreational fishing can be facilitated under the international criteria for national parks, provided it is found to be compatible with nature conservation objectives. At present, low levels of recreational fishing are allowed but each case must be examined on its merits. With regard to Lough Bunny, NPWS consider it inappropriate from a conservation viewpoint to develop an access route to the lake in order to facilitate recreational and tourist fishing there.

I am advised also that an unauthor-ised development of an accessway to Lough Bunny has been carried out recently by a commercial tourist fishing operator and that this work has encroached upon, and caused damage to, part of the national park. The matter has been referred by NPWS to the Chief State Solicitor for attention.