Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 388: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will review a matter (details supplied) regarding the fishing seasons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8465/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I can inform the Deputy that the opening and closing dates for lakes are fixed annually by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) on the basis of assessment of demand from anglers and resources to manage those lakes responsibly. Local advice is one of the factors taken into consideration when considering the length of period of the season. In the case of South Kerry, I am informed there has been no change, as compared with last year, in the case of Lough Fadda and Barfinnihy lake, both of which are managed as put and take fisheries.

IFI seeks to ensure that the resource and opportunities are available to recreational and tourist anglers at peak times at a reasonable number of lakes. Over the years the demand in the early part of the season varies and is generally significantly lower than other parts of the year and hence resource management imperatives mean that all lakes do not open at the same time.

IFI, while recognising that there is some off peak demand for the lakes in question, must, in common with all public sector bodies, operate responsibly within overall budgetary constraints. As part of the balance between these constraints and assessed demand, it is necessary to manage the lakes within the resources available and in that context it is not currently in a position to open the lakes referred to by the Deputy any earlier than proposed.