Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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121. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will reconsider the proposed levy for a compulsory angler registration charge on every angler in the country (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4671/14]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I refer to the replies to Question No. 219 on 3 December 2013, No. 309 on 10December 2013, and Nos. 455 and 188 of 15 and16January 2014, respectively. These responses definitively addressed the issue raised by the Deputy, making it absolutely clear that a the issue does not arise. The legislative framework governing inland fisheries is extensive, but quite dated. While the principal instrument is the 1959 Inland Fisheries Act, there are a myriad of other provisions, and the whole array is a patchwork. I made clear some time ago my intention to work to bring forward a legislative code fit for the Twenty-first Century and have been working on this with my Department. This is an extensive project, and an opportunity to modernise a range of measures, including decriminalising minor offences, create a new and better way to clarify fisheries title and overall to better manage the resource. As part of this review, I organised a series of public information and consultation meetings (Drogheda, Carrick-on-Shannon, Tuam, Clonmel and Dublin), where proposals and options were transparently outlined. There were of course a range of views, but overall the process was engaged with positively. 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, .

A question of how funding could be mobilised for the development of the sector was posed as part of this consultation, and it was made clear that any such funding would have to be carefully ring-fenced and returned to individual sub-sectors in proportion to funding raised (coarse angling, Salmon angling, etc.). Not surprisingly there were diverse views on this, some in support, others disagreeing. Some have sought to characterise such an approach as a ‘Rod Licence’ – I want to make it absolutely clear that no rod licence was proposed, nor is it intended to introduce such a licence. A funding instrument will only really work if it has very broad support across the angling sector and equally must not be divisive as between the different associations. I have undertaken to have further stakeholder engagement and will not finalise legislative proposals before this is concluded, I want to repeat, no rod licence has been proposed and neither will such be brought forward by me. I would reiterate that I am undertaking further stakeholder engagement and will not finalise any legislative proposals before this is concluded.