Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. I welcome the Minister and wish him well in his brief. I raise the issue of the proposed closure of trout production operations in Ireland. There are two such facilities, one in Roscrea and one in Mullingar. There is no other licensed supplier of fresh brown trout, capable of supplying all the angling fish clubs throughout Ireland. Recent figures produced by the Economic and Social Research Institute estimated that trout angling is worth approximately €800 million to the Irish economy and that the recreational angling sector is responsible for anything up to 10,000 jobs. In my area, Cavan-Monaghan, it is a major aspect of tourism. Many bed and breakfasts are built on it and there is a vitally important cross-Border aspect.

Given the figures and the return to the economy, it is difficult to understand why such a decision would be made. If the decision goes ahead, jobs will be lost and the €800 million we get from the facility will be lost. I have never known an issue to raise the temperature among the angling community as much as this. It is as bitter and potentially divisive as the rod licence issue a number of years ago. There are more than 100,000 anglers, located in every county of Ireland, and they all speak with one voice on the issue.

A consultation process is under way and the closing date for submissions is 9 August. Given that it is alleged that the board of Inland Fisheries Ireland has already made the decision to close the facility, one could legitimately ask why we are having a consultation process.Perhaps the Minister might comment on that issue.

I plead with the Minister to ensure this decision does not proceed. I ask him to use his good offices to meet a deputation from the angling community. I assure him anglers are honest and upright in their efforts to ensure a solution is found to the problem and the facility will not be allowed to close. A meeting will be held in Mullingar tonight. If the Minister were to give a commitment to meet a deputation of anglers, an outcome could be found that would satisfy all parties.