Rory O'Hanlon
Question:21 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for the Marine the plans, if any, he has for the development of lakes in the Border region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21881/96]
Other Questions. - Development of Lakes in Border Region.
Responsibility for the development of fishing facilities on our rivers and lakes is vested in the Central Fisheries Board and in the seven regional fisheries boards which are independent bodies established under the Fisheries Acts. In particular, the development of fisheries in the Border region is a matter for the northern, shannon and eastern fisheries boards.
While I have no function in the day-to-day development of fisheries the fisheries boards are obliged in their development plans to have regard to general policy objectives established for the inland fisheries sector. The overall policy objective for that sector is to ensure this valuable natural resource is conserved, managed and developed to support sustainable economic activity and job creation based on the resource.
I have identified the inland fisheries sector as one which has particular potential for the development of tourism in the Border area. Accordingly, I have made available on an annual basis through the Central Fisheries Board to the regional fisheries boards operating in the Border area, significant amounts of money for development as follows:
|
Region |
£ |
|
Eastern |
230,000 |
|
Shannon |
721,659 |
|
Northern |
521,530 |
|
Total |
1,473,189 |
The Deputy may be aware that in addition to the provision for development in their annual estimates, the regional fisheries boards as well as other private and public fishery interests can avail of the tourism angling measure of the Operational Programme for Tourism. This measure, supported by the European Regional Development Fund and administered by the Central Fisheries Board, provides for a comprehensive investment programme in the tourism angling product totalling almost £19 million over the six year period to the end of 1999. Investment of almost £4 million under this measure has been earmarked for projects in the Border area. The extent to which this indicative investment is realised will depend on the number, eligibility and quality of projects submitted. To date, projects totalling almost £0.5 million in the Border area have been approved.
The Deputy may also be aware that £2.5 million has been provided for fisheries projects under the fisheries measure of the INTERREG II programme. A total of £1.7 million of this has been allocated to the Erne Salmon Rehabilitation Programme launched in September 1996. The objective of it, under which £1.7 million is to be invested in the period to the end of 1999, is to restore the Erne to its former glory as one of the premier salmon fisheries in Europe.
The development of inland fisheries is also eligible for funding under the Cross-Border Development Sub-programme of the Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation. I understand two projects totalling £875,000 have been submitted by the fisheries boards under this sub-programme and are undergoing evaluation and assessment under the aegis of the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Finance and personnel in Northern Ireland.
Will the Minister of State agree there were great expectations under the Operational Programme, INTERREG and other programmes, but practically nothing has been given to the Border counties? I raised this matter with the Minister of State on numerous occasions. While it is all very well to talk about the allocation of £1.7 million under the INTERREG programme, most of that money was allocated to a salmon hatchery in Ballyshannon. Is the Minister of State also aware that in 1994 when those schemes were announced the tourism body in Monaghan submitted a long list of lakes for development, not one of which has benefited under them. We have been told that may happen in 1997. That is disappointing and I ask that this be taken in hand. The Minister of State has claimed he does not have full responsibility for this area, but he certainly has responsibility for it from a policy point of view and policy in this area has not been conducive to developing the lakes in the Border counties.
I absolutely reject the assertion that nothing has happened in practice.
Very little has happened.
Almost £1.5 million per year is spent by the fisheries board in fisheries development in the Border counties, £0.5 million has been allocated under the tourism angling measure for projects in the Border region, £1.7 million has been committed through the Erne waterways project, the salmon rehabilitation programme, and there are two projects under the Programme for Peace and Reconciliation estimated to cost £875,000, currently under examination.
Regarding projects for County Monaghan, as I indicated earlier, the extent to which projects can be funded depends on their eligibility and the quality of projects submitted. The Central Fisheries Board, which has overall responsibility and a unit that deals with those applications, would be happy to assist the promoters of the projects concerned and to advise and guide them on qualifying for the funds available.
While I would be the first to admit we have been weak in submitting applications for Border funding and development funds, I am satisfied there are adequate applications of a substantive nature to attract funding. I challenge the Minister to give an allocation figure for angling tourism development in County Monaghan.
The question tabled is a general one concerning the Border region. If there is a particular problem concerning projects submitted for County Monaghan, the Central Fisheries Board will be happy to assist the Deputy or the promoters of the project and my office will be happy to assist the Deputy with any advice or guidance with regard to progressing those projects.