87 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will intervene in the dispute with the Irish Federation of Pike Angling Clubs with the Shannon Fisheries Board on the introduction of a ?35 coarse angling permit and the use of gillnets for removing fish from a lake which will affect the tourism business if not settled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18178/03]
Under the Fisheries Acts, primary responsibility for the management, conservation, protection and development of inland fisheries in the Shannon region including stock management and the introduction of charges for angling in its fisheries is a matter for the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board. I do not propose to intervene in the matters referred to by the Deputy as these are issues solely for that board to decide and are not something over which I, as Minister, have any control.
My Department is providing over €17 million to cover all current and capital expenditure by the Central and Regional Fisheries Boards in 2003. The boards, including the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board, are, however, entitled and expected to generate income from their own resources and in this regard, the level of permit fees is a matter for the fisheries boards to decide within the context of the funding available to them.
