Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 Feb 1993

Vol. 425 No. 7

Written Answers. - South Western Regional Fisheries Board.

Bernard Allen

Question:

301 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Marine the proposals, if any, he has to increase the staff in the South Western Regional Fisheries Board, in view of the difficulty in effectively controlling an increasing number of salmon dealers and registers at the present time, and of the fact that the huge expansion in salmon farmers has also exacerbated the difficulties in this regard and that the reduction in numbers also effected the collection of salmon statistics which is necessary for rational management.

Peter Barry

Question:

306 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for the Marine if he intends to allocate more funds to the South Western Regional Fisheries Board in view of the difficulties being experienced by the board in effectively controlling the increasing number of salmon dealers and registers with decreased staff numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for the Marine (Mr. Andrews)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 301 and 306 together.

I would very much like to see extra staff and finance being allocated to the South Western Regional Fisheries Board and to the Fisheries Boards generally and I am presently exploring a number of avenues to that end.

In these very difficult times, the possibilities of extra resources for public agencies are severely limited.