asked the Minister for Fisheries if he will consider making regulations to govern the size of engines which may be used to power boats on certain of our inland lakes in order that the amenity enjoyed by fishermen and others in the past can continue to be enjoyed without interference from high-powered boats used for water-skiing and other related sports.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Boat Engines .
4.
: The need for and the feasibility of implementing regulations of the kind suggested by the Deputy are being considered in my Department.
: Is the Minister aware that this refers to actions on a particular lake which is not State owned? Will the consolidated body for inland fisheries have authority over such lakes when they become a force?
: I hope so. Deputy Kenny and Deputy Flynn are both referring to Lough Carra in County Mayo. I hope, when we have our new fishery authority established by legislation before the end of the year, that this matter can be considered and they will be empowered to deal with it by regulation.
: Is the Minister aware that there is a very intensive departmental conservation programme being carried out on that lake?
: I know that. It is one of the most promising trout fishing lakes in the country and I share the Deputy's concern about the matter.
: Does the Minister accept the concern of my colleague about the use of high-powered boats? Can he indicate the earliest possible date when the regulations will be introduced to ensure that this concern will be no longer necessary?
: We have introduced the First Stage of the Inland Fisheries Bill and the Second Stage will be taken the first day after the recess. I hope under that Bill to have structures established for regional boards under a central fisheries board. They will be empowered to adopt and enforce regulations of this kind, which we do not have at the present time.
: Is it not possible to introduce some other measure? The Minister's suggestion sounds like a very slow process to deal with a very fast and high powered set of problems which we could be taking about for years.
: We are talking about legislation which could be law before the end of this year.
: The Minister is talking about the setting up of boards and all the tedious negotiations necessary in connection with that.
: We have started that work already. The administrations have been set up and, with the cooperation of the House, we will move very quickly in the matter.