Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit go dtí an Teach. The Minister of State is very welcome and I thank him for his attendance here this morning. I welcome the fact the board of Inland Fisheries Ireland, IFI, has agreed to defer indefinitely its decision to cease trout production at its hatcheries in Mullingar and Roscrea. The decision came as a result of massive opposition from anglers throughout the country and I compliment them on their campaign. We need a firm commitment to provide the resources necessary to guarantee the long-term future and viability of these hatcheries.

IFI infrastructure has been fractured by continuous downgrading. At one point it had almost 500 staff members, but today this has been reduced to 294. This cannot be allowed to continue. Tourism angling is worth an estimated €750 million to our national economy. It is also estimated that angling is responsible for supporting 11,250 jobs in the country. Cavan and Monaghan have 12 angling clubs with almost 3,000 members. It is estimated this group is responsible for generating €3.4 million to the local economy in cross-Border fishing trips.

When we consider €800 million each year is allocated to our economy from the angling industry and the fact it supports more than 11,000 jobs, any reasonable person would have to conclude it surely is time the issue was taken seriously and the necessary funding was put in place. I call on the Minister of State and other Ministers with responsibility for tourism and rural affairs to recognise the value of angling to the State and provide the necessary funding to secure its long-term viability.