Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I, too, am delighted to support the Bill. It is crucially important. We can have all the laws and Bills in the world but we need the leverage to implement them. We have seen continued depletion of our lakes and rivers. We need to urgently address the situation as we are leaving IFI vulnerable to legal challenge simply for doing its job of protecting the inland waterways and the fish that inhabit them. I come from the constituency of Cavan-Monaghan. In Cavan, we are renowned for having 365 lakes. Some 30% of overseas visitors who come to Cavan do so solely for the purpose of angling, which brings a huge boost to the local economy. Both Cavan and Monaghan are very dependent on the tourism that comes from inland fisheries.

We depend on IFI to ensure that our lakes and rivers are protected from poaching and pollution. That is why I am so happy to see the Bill coming before us today. Inland Fisheries Ireland inform me that, in the upper Erne catchment, which runs through Clones towards Three Mile House, Ballybay and on to Lough Egish in County Monaghan before moving into Bruskey and Lough Gowna in County Cavan, there were five on-the-spot fines for breaking the law of conservation last year. One prosecution was secured in February 2017 in respect of a case from last year. I have also heard first hand from some of the angling clubs about the challenges they face in terms of funding, the poaching of their waters and the lack of membership. This area needs further investment and could be very much improved upon. Midlands counties like Cavan and Monaghan do not have beautiful coastlines to attract tourists and are very dependent on resources such as lakes and rivers. This area has not yet reached its full potential. Angling clubs across Cavan and Monaghan are to the forefront of pushing for angling among young people and those in the autumn years of their lives. That is to be welcomed and encouraged.

In 2013 Inland Fisheries Ireland published a study of the socioeconomic importance of recreational angling. The study concluded that up to 406,000 individuals participated in recreational angling in 2012 and that there was a total expenditure of approximately €550 million. That is vast for a small island like ours. Given that we are an island nation, it is all the more important. These are significant sums of revenue and job numbers. The jobs are often placed in rural areas that need economic development and a boost.

Inland Fisheries Ireland plays a major role in eliminating and addressing any environmental issues. Unfortunately, we have often had oil spillages and other environmentally unfriendly incidents. Of course the organisation plays a major role in all of that. However, without adequate powers, Inland Fisheries Ireland is completely unable to do its job effectively. Like my colleague, Deputy Dooley, I believe it is important to have a Minister with full responsibility for fisheries. We should place all responsibility for fisheries, including inland fisheries and marine leisure, in a single Department. It is important that we promote sustainable fishing and aquaculture practices to achieve long-term security for fishing stocks and incomes for fishermen and related sectors. I will conclude now because I want to give my colleagues an opportunity to speak. It is important. I am happy to support the Bill.

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