Vol. 574 No. 3
187 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reason he has refused to meet with a sea angling club (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will reconsider his decision and meet a delegation of this club in relation to the future of boat sea angling in Connaught. [26930/03]
As I indicated to the Deputy in my reply of 30 September last, I already met the Irish Federation of Sea Anglers, IFSA, on Tuesday 3 December 2002 to discuss the effect of the passenger boat regulations on sea angling festivals and competitions. Furthermore, the director general of the maritime safety directorate met representatives of the Belmullet sea angling club in Westport on 25 March 2003 on my behalf. It was explained at that meeting that my primary concern is to enhance safety at sea and on inland waters. The licensing of all passenger boats through their compliance with the new passenger boat regulations is the best way to ensure the safety of crew and passengers. As my position on safety and the passenger boat regulations has already been fully explained to both the IFSA and a delegation from Belmullet sea angling club I do not consider that another meeting is necessary to clarify the position any further.
