Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 163: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the steps he will take to address the impact of drift netting on the tourism sector (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34278/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I refer the Deputy to my previous reply on this matter to Question No. 176 on 12 October 2005.

While I am aware of the argument that the effect of drift netting on salmon stocks is a reason for the decline in tourism angling in Ireland, I am not, however, aware of any study having been carried out that supports this particular premise. For this reason, the Department has recently taken up this matter with the Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism, with a view to asking that Department, and the relevant State agencies under its aegis, to apply their expertise in evaluating the role of salmon angling development and to present a definitive view of its potential within the broader tourism sector.