Vol. 499 No. 2
69 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the projects that will be pursued under the Strategic Development Plan for Inland Fisheries, November 1997; the amount of money spent on projects under the tourist angling measure to date; if all the projects currently being undertaken will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2298/99]
The Central Fisheries Board's (CFB) Strategic Development Plan for Inland Fisheries 1998-2002 recognises that Ireland's inland fisheries and sea angling resource has considerable scope for development. The fisheries boards are pursuing an intensive development programme under the Tourism Angling Measure (TAM) to improve the tourism angling product and achieve increased economic and employment benefits. The CFB is also working closely with the Marine Institute on a national strategy for marine research and development which will support and guide future development in the inland fisheries sector.
Over 140 game, coarse and sea angling development projects have been approved under TAM for total funding of over £17 million. An amount of about £8.5 million has been spent to date. Funding is approved for projects on the basis that they will be completed, but in the event that some projects do not commence or proceed as planned, the funds will be reallocated to alternative projects to ensure that all funding under TAM is drawn down.
