Vol. 491 No. 1
57 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources whether he has expressed his views to the tourism agencies in relation to the way in which he wishes to see tourism angling developed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11547/98]
Investment of over £17 million in tourism angling development is being supported under the tourism angling measure of the Operational Programme for Tourism 1994-1999. The objective is to create a world class tourism angling product through targeted development of game, coarse and sea angling throughout the regions. The investment in the inland fisheries resource and tourism angling facilities is designed to attract significantly increased numbers of tourist anglers to Ireland with resultant increases in revenue and job creation. It will also contribute to objectives and targets for the national tourism product overall.
A key strategic priority in this context is to ensure that the investment in development of the resource is matched by sustained overseas marketing of the tourism angling product.
The Central and Regional Fisheries Boards and Bord Fáilte are already working closely together in overseeing and delivering on investment strategies to develop and promote tourism angling in line with the overall objectives. On the marketing front I have arranged for £300,000 under the tourism angling measure to be made available for immediate angling market research and overseas promotion. I have requested the Central Fisheries Board and Bord Fáilte to work together on this important initiative. A detailed spending plan is being prepared jointly by the agencies and I expect to receive this in a matter of weeks.
