asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the names of the present directors of An Bord Iascaigh Mhara.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bord Iascaigh Mhara Directorate.
150.
The names of the present members of the board of An Bord Iascaigh Mhara are: Brendan M. O'Kelly (Chairman), Christopher D. Ryan, Feilix Murphy, Snr., Michael Hanley, John B. Healy, Vivian Murray.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that in the past few years there was an arrangement with the Federation of Sea Fishing Co-Operatives whereby a guarantee was given that members of the federation would be admitted to membership of the board of An Bord Iascaigh Mhara? In his reply the Parliamentary Secretary has indicated that the federation is not represented on the board. This is causing unrest amongst fishermen.
Membership of the board is limited to six. Mr. O'Kelly is the chairman and there is one from the Department of Fisheries, Mr. Christopher D. Ryan. Of the four remaining members the Minister nominated two quite recently. The two nominated, Mr. Felix Murray and Mr. Michael Hanley, were very well qualified for membership of the board and consequently were appointed. Others were suitable but not as suitable as the two men selected. There were only two vacancies and therefore the Minister could not appoint more than two.
I am not questioning the merits of the persons appointed. I accept that they are well qualified to act. Would the Parliamentary Secretary agree that there has been a departure from the practice of the past few years inasmuch as members of the Federation of Sea Fishing Co-Operatives are not now selected?
I would not agree with the Deputy that there has been a departure. There are numerous organisations representing fishermen and I do not think that you could select from one organisation or assign to one organisation the right of organisation over another. What we are hoping to do in the not too distant future is to weld the numerous organisations claiming to represent various types of fishermen into one organisation representing sea fishermen, producers, inland fisheries, and so on, because it is very difficult for the Department to deal with so many people. I do not know the number of persons I have met in the past seven or eight months, all claiming to represent so many people. I doubt if some of them represent anybody but themselves.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary accept that in the EEC negotiations the Federation of Sea Fishing Co-Operatives were accepted as representatives of the fishermen and visited Brussels at various times and were accepted by the Department of Fisheries and by the fishermen as representatives of the fishermen? As such, they should be entitled to membership of the board.
As I have said, the two vacancies that were filled recently were filled by men who in the opinion of the Minister were the best suited for the purpose.
Is this Mr. Murray of Skerries?
Mr. Murray of Skerries and Mr. Hanley of Eyeries.