Written answers

Thursday, 30 June 2011

Department of Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Affairs

National Parks

5:00 am

Photo of Brendan GriffinBrendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 130: To ask the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht the action the National Parks and Wildlife Service are taking to promote angling amongst visitors to Killarney National Park, County Kerry; if he has satisfied himself that the full potential of angling in Killarney National Park is being met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18129/11]

Photo of Jimmy DeenihanJimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Primary responsibility for the promotion of angling rests with Inland Fisheries Ireland who are committed to ensuring that angling continues to be recognised as a valuable national asset and to achieve the maximum benefit to the Exchequer by promoting angling as a leisure pursuit and by developing the tourism potential of the resource.

As with all our national parks, a key objective of Killarney National Park is to ensure the conservation of the flora and fauna species within the area, including the conservation of certain fish species. However, in tandem with this principle, the park does provide for recreational activity which will not damage the protective status of the park and in this regard, provision is made for sustainable angling.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department has taken a range of measures to promote angling in the park while at the same time ensuring the conservation of the freshwater ecosystems and fish populations there. NPWS continuously maintain slipways & mooring points which are used by anglers and a purpose built weighing room & shelter for anglers was recently constructed. NPWS liaises with a number of angling organisations on an ongoing basis - such as Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), the Laune Anglers Association, Lough Lein Anglers and Munster anglers - in relation to angling and conservation issues and has also worked with them to ensure that no invasive species are introduced into Killarney lakes.

During the summer months angling competitions are regularly held on the lakes - nearly on a weekly basis - and anglers come from all over Munster and further afield to compete in these. Recently, the European Ladies Freshwater angling championship was hosted there. A part from organised competitions, anglers can independently fish using one of the many licensed boats on the lakes.

Photo of Brendan GriffinBrendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 131: To ask the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he has satisfied himself that the gardens at Muckross House, County Kerry are being maintained to the highest standard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18130/11]

Photo of Jimmy DeenihanJimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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As in previous years the Muckross Gardens continue to be managed and maintained to the highest possible standards, as evidenced by the many positive comments from visitors to the gardens and also the very favourable mention of the gardens in a magazine, The Irish Garden , last year. As with all gardens, climatic conditions can have a marked bearing on the appearance of the Muckcross Gardens. In this regard, it should be noted that the past two winters have been the coldest since records began at the weather station in Muckross. Unfortunately, due to these exceptionally cold winters many of the Southern Hemisphere and tender plants in the Gardens were damaged or lost. However the dedicated staff at Killarney National Park are continuing their work on the rehabilitation or removal and replacement of damaged shrubs and plants with a view to restoring Muckross Gardens to pristine condition.

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