Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 15 Nov 1995

Vol. 458 No. 3

Written Answers. - Upgrading of Game-Coarse Fishing.

Edward Nealon

Ceist:

111 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for the Marine the plans, if any, he has under the Tourism Angling Measure of the Operational Programme for Tourism for the upgrading and development of game and coarse fishing on the River Moy and its tributaries; the analysis and angling surveys that are currently under way or planned for this important angling river; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16988/95]

Edward Nealon

Ceist:

112 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for the Marine the plans, if any, he has for the investment in developing and upgrading of the trout fishing of Lough Talt in County Sligo under the Tourism Angling Measure of the Operational Programme for Tourism which is designed to ensure that game, coarse and sea angling is upgraded to the best international standards; his views on whether this particular lake in the Ox Mountains has exceptional potential for attracting increased numbers of game anglers and as a consequence for creating valuable sustainable spin-off employment of particular value to an area badly hit by immigration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16989/95]

Edward Nealon

Ceist:

113 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for the Marine the amount of the £19 million provided under the Tourism Angling Measure of the Operational Programme for Tourism which has already been allocated; the amounts which have been provided for the upgrading of angling in Sligo and surrounding coasts and Leitrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16990/95]

Edward Nealon

Ceist:

114 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for the Marine the plans, if any, he has under the Tourism Angling Measure of the Operational Programme for Tourism for the development and upgrading of the game angling on Lough Arrow in County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16991/95]

Minister for the Marine (Mr. Barrett)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 111, 112, 113 and 114 together.

The Tourism Angling Measure of the Operational Programme for Tourism provides for total investment of almost £19 million in the development of the tourism angling product over five years. I have already announced 34 projects, involving total expenditure of some £4 million, under this measure. Almost £0.8 million, or 19 per cent of the allocation to date, has been allocated to projects in the Sligo-Leitrim area.

The Central Fisheries Board and the Department of the Marine have responsibility for the administration and implementation of the Tourism Angling Measure. The Central Fisheries Board is responsible for the day to day administration of the measure with the Department having overall responsibility for its implementation. All applications for funding under the measure are subject to detailed technical, operational management and financial assessment by the Central Fisheries Board. I will ask the board to advise the Deputy directly about applications on hand.

I can, however, advise the Deputy that the North Western Regional Fisheries Board, which is responsible for the development of fisheries within its region, has recently completed a development plan for Lough Arrow and also has proposals in relation to limited development of Lough Talt. I understand, however, from the North Western Board that Lough Talt has limited potential from an angling tourism perspective.

I can further advise the Deputy that £691,000 has already been allocated under the Tourism Angling Measure to the North Western Board's development plan for the River Moy. The key objective is to develop the valuable salmon and trout fisheries of the Moy catchment to their maximum potential which will facilitate a potential increase of 200 per cent in angling tourists to the area. Full details of the proposed developments are set out in the North Western Fisheries Board's development plan. In addition £92,000 has been allocated under the measure to specific development works at the renowned Moy Fishery in Ballina.

Angling tourism has the potential to become a significant contributor to the Irish economy. The strategic objectives of the Tourism Angling Measure are to deliver on this potential through significant investment in Ireland's game, coarse and sea angling resources thus creating a unique tourism angling product which will increase the annual number of angling tourists to 250,000 by the year 2000 and create up to 1,000 new jobs mainly in the more remote and disadvantaged regions.