Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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1074. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the chief executive officer of Inland Fisheries Ireland attended the world recreational fishing conference in Sao Paulo, Brazil, from 1 to 4 September 2014; and if he was accompanied by other staff or board members of IFI. [41402/14]

Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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1075. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide a breakdown of the cost of the attendance of Inland Fisheries Ireland personnel at the world recreational fishing conference, Sao Paulo, Brazil from 1 to 4 September 2014. [41403/14]

Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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1076. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to set out the reason and planned outcome of the attendance of Inland Fisheries Ireland personnel at the world reactional fishing conference in Sao Paulo, Brazil, from 1 to 4 September 2014. [41404/14]

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1074 to 1076, inclusive, together.

Inland Fisheries Ireland is the statutory body responsible for the protection, conservation, development and promotion of inland fisheries and sea angling resources and while its protection and conservation actions are often visible in the public domain and its scientific research is respected internationally, it also has a key role in actively promoting this sector. In 2013, international consultants Tourism Development International (TDI) completed the most comprehensive study ever undertaken on angling in Ireland, identifying its economic value at €755 million, including €282 million from angling tourism, and supporting 10,000 jobs in rural and peripheral communities.

IFI was instrumental in bringing the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation (NASCO) annual meeting to Ireland in 2013 and working on investment and promotion with Angling Representative Bodies, other State Agencies and local communities continues to bring international angling events to these shores with significant economic dividends for the hosting communities. This year investment supported by IFI in the Greenway facilities at Coachford, County Cork saw the now world class venue host the World Feeder Fishing Championships attracting almost 200 competitors and officials from 25 nations. The event attracted large numbers of spectators and an almost €2m economic dividend for the surrounding area.

IFI also works collaboratively with the Department of Culture Arts and Leisure in Northern Ireland and the cross border Loughs Agency on promoting the island of Ireland as a world class angling venue for overseas visitors.

Ireland faces stiff competition for international angling visitors and participation at conferences, trade shows and exhibitions is an important element in IFI’s promotion and development strategy. I am advised that the Chief Executive Officer and the Business Development Director of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), therefore, attended the World Recreational Fishing Conference in Sao Paulo, from 1 to 4 September 2014. With workshops and other activities taking place simultaneously throughout the 4 day conference more than one attendee is required to realise full value from attendance. The conference is attended by fisheries managers, economists, ecologists, scientists and other service providers from all around the world and takes place every 3 years. It provides a highly valuable forum for professionals and institutions representing all components of the recreational fishing sector to exchange ideas and new knowledge relating to the science, management and promotion of recreational fisheries.

Attendance at events and conferences relevant to the remit of any State Agency is a day to day operational matter for the Agency itself, but I am advised IFI considers that the conference is highly relevant to fisheries managers in Ireland and attendance is an investment in the future of recreational angling management. The cost of attendance at the conference is a day to day operational matter for the Agency and I have requested that they contact the Deputy directly with the breakdown requested.