Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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70. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the work of his Department and agencies under its aegis on ensuring investment in fish farms by Inland Fisheries Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7262/18]

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), that following a positive and constructive meeting of its Fish Farming Working Group, the production supply of fish will continue throughout 2018, and thereafter.

The Fish Farming Working Group is comprised of members of Inland Fisheries Ireland’s Board and Executive, as well as the two main trout angling organisations in Ireland.

The Board of IFI has already confirmed its commitment to developing a comprehensive strategy to meet current and future trout production needs, subject to securing the investment required, and have agreed to proceed with a tender process for this project.

The future success and development of the sector depends on the close co-operation and constructive approach of both IFI and the stakeholders. The fact that the Fish Farming Working Group has begun 2018 with such a positive meeting is very much to be welcomed and I look forward to ongoing productive dialogue in the future.

I also welcomed the Group’s discussions, in the context of the future advancement of the sector, on the wider development of youth angling generally and the potential for developing urban angling locations.