Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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219. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding a compulsory angler registration charge (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51905/13]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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My Department has been working closely with Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) on a comprehensive modernisation and review of fisheries legislation, essentially seeking to bring legislation dating back to the1950’s and older instruments into the twenty-first century. The aim is to ensure that the sector, valued at €755m annually to the national economy and supporting 10,000 jobs in rural and peripheral areas, is underpinned by a robust and modern legislative code. As part of this review, I organised a series of public information and consultation meetings and attended these meetings accompanied by senior officials from the Inland Fisheries Division of my Department and Inland Fisheries Ireland. Those meetings, which were held on a regional basis in Drogheda, Carrick-on-Shannon, Tuam, Clonmel and Dublin, were well attended and laid out transparently the principal themes to be considered in the context of new legislation. A range of issues and possible new approaches were outlined at these meetings and there was widespread and broadly positive reaction to the modernisation proposals with a range of views expressed at the public meetings. I have undertaken to carefully consider points made before developing specific legislative proposals and the submissions received in the course of the public consultation sessions are available on the Department's website,

I welcome all opportunities to debate the future shape of angling in Ireland and will be keen to continue and ensure full public involvement in this dialogue in the weeks and months ahead.