Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 February 2019
571. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he or his officials have met angling club representatives in recent months; and if not, the reason therefor. [6309/19]
View answerInland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is the State Agency with statutory responsibility for the protection, conservation development and promotion of the inland fisheries Sector. One of IFI’s most important tasks is to engage with angling clubs around the country on inland fisheries related matters.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the vast majority of issues for discussion and advice relates to local matters. In that context, engagement with local IFI officers and, where necessary, regional management brings legislative, operational and technical expertise, as well as local knowledge and understanding, to bear. Such meetings are considered the most appropriate option as they take place in the relevant community and facilitate a focus on what are very largely local matters.
IFI also has a dedicated project team and project co-ordinators to support angling clubs and community based organisations with development projects approved under the National Strategy for Angling Development.
I have had two requests for meetings with angling clubs. One was serviced last week by a meeting between the club and IFI regional management and senior scientific staff, following contact with the Deputy who requested the meeting. I understand the second may relate to a planning issue which is outside the remit of my Department. However I have undertaken to liaise with the Deputy who sought the meeting.
In relation to high level strategic engagement, I am taking a lead role in liaison with angling stakeholders and intend to host a joint meeting of all established Angling Federations together with senior officials of my Department and IFI. I am keen to draw together all strands of the representative angling stakeholder base for positive, inclusive and consensual discussions for the benefit of the entire sector.
