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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 6 Nov 1991

Vol. 412 No. 2

Written Answers. - Fishery Boards.

Gerry O'Sullivan

Question:

53 Mr. G. O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Marine if he has any plans to harmonise the various fishery boards throughout the country with a view to having more co-operation and co-ordination between them; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The present structure of inland fisheries administration comprises seven regional fisheries boards, the Central Fisheries Board and the Department of the Marine.

The regional fisheries boards are independent statutory bodies with a large degree of autonomy in their day-to-day operations.

It is one of the main tasks of the Central Fisheries Board to co-ordinate the activities of the regional fisheries boards on an on-going basis. The central board are required statutorily to fulfil this role by the provisions of the Fisheries Act, 1980.

As you are no doubt aware the complement of the Central Fisheries Board consist partly of the seven individual chairmen of the regional fisheries boards and the meetings of the central board act as a forum for the different regional board chairmen to discuss matters of mutual interest relating to inland fisheries.

At an operational level the Central Fisheries Board direct and acts as adviser to the regional fisheries boards in relation to financial, personnel and technical matters. It is also the practice of the Central Fisheries Board chief officer to hold regular meetings of all the regional managers to discuss and decide upon matters of concern to all.

The Department of the Marine have overall responsibility for policy and financial matters relating to the fisheries boards and in this regard keeps in touch with developments at individual board level.
The achievement of a satisfactory balance between local autonomy and effective co-ordination at national level within these or any structures is a matter which must be continuously pursued. It is our aim to keep up the pressure to ensure that, whenever co-ordination or harmonization can usefully be undertaken, the existing structures effectively achieve such co-ordination.
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