Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 944: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of prosecutions which have been taken by the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board in each of the years 2005, 2006, 2007 and to 31 March 2008 for County Clare in relation to its statutory functions, including that of preventing pollution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23133/08]

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 945: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amount recovered by the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board in fines and expenses in each of the years 2005, 2006, 2007 and up to 31 March 2008 for County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23134/08]

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 946: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the cost of prosecutions undertaken by the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board in each of the years 2005, 2006, 2007 and up to 31 March 2008 for County Clare; and the percentage of this cost taken from the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board budget. [23135/08]

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 947: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the plans to increase the budget of the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board, the need to increase surveillance to tackle the scale of illegal fishing and the disregard of regulations and by-laws which is affecting the angling tourism industry here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23136/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 944 to 947, inclusive, together.

Under the Fisheries Acts, primary responsibility for the management, conservation, protection and development of the inland fisheries resource rests with the Central and Regional Fisheries Boards, in this case the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board (ShRFB).

The information on prosecutions and fines sought by the Deputy has been provided by the ShRFB and is outlined in the following table.

The total costs of prosecutions taken during the period as a percentage of the ShRFB's budget is negligible.

I have been informed by the ShRFB that inland fisheries protection patrols continue to be maintained in the region. The Board enforces fisheries laws and regulations with its available resources. The Board has been allocated Exchequer funding totalling €3.147 million in 2008.

In regard to County Clare fisheries, these hold good stocks of coarse fish which are utilised by both local and tourist anglers. The Board is very aware of the importance of angling tourism to the area and has worked with Shannon Development, Fáilte Ireland and others, to maintain and increase the number of angling tourists.

As regards the protection of coarse fish stocks, my Department introduced the Conservation of and Prohibition on Sale of Coarse Fish Bye Law No. 806, 2006 and the Conservation of Pike Bye Law No. 809, 2006, which control fishing for coarse fish. These bye-laws provide for a number of conservation measures including limiting the number of fish that may be taken by anglers and were introduced to prevent over exploitation of coarse fish and pike in rivers, canals and lakes. In the Shannon region, the ShRFB has been working with local anglers and communities to implement these bylaws and additional resources have been redirected to deal with incidents in County Clare and other areas.