Vol. 476 No. 4
165 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for the Marine the progress, if any, in relation to the application for funding under the angling measure of the Tourism Operational Programme for Development work on Lough Sheelin; when the application will be approved; the level of funding which will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7324/97]
I have no direct function in relation to the approval of projects submitted for funding under the tourism angling measure of the Operational Programme for Tourism. The evaluation and decision-making process is the function of the evaluation and management committees comprising representatives of the Department of Tourism and Trade, the Department of the Marine, the Central Fisheries Board, Bord Fáilte and the Marine Institute.
The project to carry out enhancement of the trout spawning and nursery streams of Loughs Ennell and Sheelin was considered by the committees in December 1996 and again in February. The committees have approved the Lough Eneel ment of £353,000. Additional information on the Lough Sheelin element has been requested from the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board, in order to further inform the evaluation process.
I am advised that the Lough Sheelin element will be considered by the committees following the provision by the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board of the additional data sought.
