SHRFB Coarse Angling Permit

Adjournment Debate in Dáil Éireann 12th February 2003
(The following is an extract taken from the Debates of the Houses of the Oireachtas for 12/2/03. To view, goto www.irlgov.ie)

Mr. Finneran:

As regards tourism in the county, there are several projects in my constituency awaiting funding. There is very little tourism facility in County Roscommon and in that region. Certainly the development of Lough Key Forest Park and the proposals for the aquatic centre for Lough Ree are not exclusive to my constituency or to Roscommon. They are proposals for the midlands, which would have far reaching opportunities for visitors.

Fishing is the main outlet in the tributaries of the river Shannon. I was disappointed to learn in recent weeks that Shannon fisheries board decided to impose permits on three tributaries of the river Shannon. If one wishes to coarse fish on the rivers Suck, Inny or the Brosna one has to pay €35. I come from a farming background and all my life our lands and that of my neighbours have been used by tourists and locals to walk to and fish at the river. If I or one of my family wish to go there we must have a permit costing €35. If found not to have such a permit we can be fined €50. It is extraordinary that the main channel of the river and rivers all over Ireland do not require a permit for coarse fishing while for these few rivers in the west, which would take the few tourists we get, there is a permit imposition. This will kill off angling tourism in the area. They do no harm, they put all the fish back into the river, they cause no damage to fences or land and people are pleased to have them. They come and stay in the bed and breakfasts and hotels and spend money locally.

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