CHAIRMAN'S ADDRESS 2007

Another year has gone and I see us in the same predicament as years previous. In fact I would say that last year was very disappointing in relation to commitment of elected members, as usual the work was left to the few members. This non commitment makes it very difficult to further advance the work of the National. Added to this we lost two outstanding men, Martin Carolan and Pat Burns. Two extraordinary people, with whom I had great pleasure of knowing and working with. It is very rare to come across such men, and are a very sad loss.

Web Site: Dave Neal has spent a lot of time developing a forum on the site. This is something you yourselves requested, so why are you not using it. This is a very useful platform, and its use should be maximised.

I have used the term fence jockeys before, and I still use it. I was asked by a journalist during the year what it meant, and when I explained it to him he said that he had not come across it before, and believed that it was perfect for people who devoted their time criticising and knocking people who are trying to get the work done, and of course under no circumstances would they themselves be willing to help and they would be unable to deliver. The incoming committee must be ready and willing to start work, for without the commitment a disservice wilt be done to both the National, yourself and your club. I must make it clear that coming on board that the committee is not about dealing with a problem you club may have. Yes of course it is a matter for the National and will be dealt with , but becoming a committee member is about developing coarse angling interests and dealing with its related problems throughout the thirty two counties of Ireland, and attract tourism angling to our shores.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the people who have provided us with information for this years AGM, but with a greater commitment from all, and a special thanks to all who helped in the Fishing Exhibition in Swords, without who's help I could I could not have represented the NCFFI. We have been involved in this event from day one, with Pat Burns, who's work on this project was outstanding.

Junior angling A number of clubs are doing their bit to develop junior anglers, in various parts of the Country , but we need more, and we have been dealt a great blow with the loss of Martin Carolan. Martin had shown such outstanding dedication to the development of our junior anglers, he will be sadly missed.. In the senior section Bobby Smithers is doing a great job, and has to be commended, not only for his work with the team , but also his willingness to help out whenever and by whoever calls him, and I wish him luck with this year's competitions.

Again this year we have the issue of insurance cover. I just cannot understand this. All clubs have a copy of the policy and again I will state that the insurance cover is from 1 st January to 31 st December. When the policy is paid has nothing to do with your cover. There are three sections in the policy, the first in your executive cover, which you get when the club affiliates to NCFFI. You do not have the personal cover or the Water keeper cover unless you pay the extra cost of it, and just sending the cost of the extra will not give you the cover if you have not sent the names and addresses of the people who the cover is for. Juniors cannot be covered.

On Tuesday 27 th March I was part of a delegation who attended a meeting with Minister Brown in Leinster House. We discussed a number of items, such as a total Ban on the killing of Coarse fish. Giving Water keepers, real powers and better Gardai support. After all this is a massive local and tourist industry and yet is very poorly funded. It was also pointed out that when the department get the figures for angling, the Salmonid which include home anglers, but this is not the case with coarse anglers. Even with this omission we are still the largest body of anglers when it comes to the exchequer. The Minister gave us a very good hearing and seemed to be interested, but we will have to wait and see, as there is an election coming up. He did however inform us that he was engaging the same consulting company, and this time they would be given a brief to look at the Coarse angling of Ireland.

All that remains for me to say is to thank our sponsors the Healy Group for their support of the All Ireland for so many years. This is their last year of cover so let have a big turn out this year, to show our appreciation of their wonderful support fro so many years..

The Angling Council of Ireland is represented here today by Tom Lillis We have always complained about not having our own base, we do now, but like everything it comes with a cost, and it's up to us to ensure that we do our bit.

And finally may I ask you to observe a minutes silence as a mark of respect for friends and family who have passed on. This year has been a sad one, with Martin Carolan and pat Burns being called from us.

Dave Egan .