I want to welcome the news from the Inland Fisheries today that they are to issue over half a million Euro in grants for various initiative nationwide. Included are three major projects for this area as follows:
1. Accessible Angling at Suck Valley Way- At West Roscommon and East Galway adjacent to Donamon and Kilconnell. The work will rovide a new match angling stretch to provide a further space for international competitions close to the current wheelchair facility. Allo…cation: €89,230.00
2. Upgrade of facilities at The Mudflats, Elphin Road, Carrick On Shannon, Co. Roscommon- Upgrade of existing mudflats angling location to include provision of floating fish stands for angling, upgrade of facilities including toilets, roadway, carpark areas, signage and fencing. Allocation: €103,100.00
3. Maintenance of Angling Facilities at ‘The Meadows’, Athlone, Co. Westmeath- To improve existing infrastructure in place to support river bank angling for major international match events. Allocation: €73,000.00
I would hope that these monies would be spent with a view to increasing tourism in the areas concerned and that a recognition would also be made of local communities in the area that may be affected by winter flooding as a result of any work carried out
I will also be putting pressure on the Minister and the relevant agencies to support the funding of Lakeland areas for additional fishing and tourism projects into the future