Vol. 482 No. 7
8 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he has discussed the order for the transfer of the management of the Moy fishery, Ballina, County Mayo, with the Central Fisheries Board; when the transfer will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19018/97]
30 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he has discussed the order for the transfer of the management of the Moy fishery, Ballina, County Mayo, with the Central Fisheries Board; when the transfer will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19017/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 30 together. I favour in principle the transfer of the Moy fishery to local control which is consistent with my stated strategy to move to a "catchment management" approach in fisheries generally. I confirm that I recently met the chairperson and chief officer of the Central Fisheries Board to discuss the transfer of the Moy fishery from the Central Fisheries Board to the North Western Regional Fisheries Board. The board is working on the detailed arrangements required to enable the management of this very valuable national fishery to be transferred on a basis which ensures accountability, value for money and continued sustainable development. However, the Central Fisheries Board has advised me that several issues have arisen which are currently delaying the transfer process.
The Central Fisheries Board has been advised that it would be prudent to wait until these outstanding issues are resolved before finalising the hand-over. I have requested the Central Fisheries Board to keep me fully advised of progress.
(Mayo): The people of Mayo were extremely grateful when the former Minister of State, Deputy Gilmore, instructed the Central Fisheries Board to hand over responsibility for the transfer of the river Moy. Does the Minister agree it is vital the transfer takes place soon? Does he agree it is administrative and economic lunacy to have two offices on the banks of the river Moy, one run by the Central Fisheries Board and the other by the North Western Regional Fisheries Board, two sets of staff, one under the aegis of the Central Fisheries Board and the other under the aegis of the North Western Regional Fisheries Board and two sets of vehicles, one with the stamp of the Central Fisheries Board and the other with the stamp of the North Western Regional Fisheries Board? What are the obstacles to the transfer? When will the matter be resolved?
There are two specific obstacles. There is a legal problem over the title of the fishery which is being dealt with by the Chief State Solicitor's office. I agreed with the decision of my predecessor regarding the transfer, but the title was not in a state in which it could be transferred. That was not his fault. The second obstacle relates to an industrial relations issue which came to light recently. This is being progressed by the Central Fisheries Board, the employer.
Does the Minister agree an issue relating to the title of the fishery should not frustrate or delay the transfer of its management?
Does he agree that to ensure arrangements are in place for next season the management must be transferred without further delay? Does he also agree that in light of the report published yesterday by the Comptroller and Auditor General, which drew attention to duplication of effort in the fisheries sector, this is an area in which duplication could be ended without further delay?
I will allow Deputy Ring ask a question, following which the Minister may give a final reply.
When will the legal difficulty be sorted out? Is it possible to use a CPO in this regard? Last week the Central Fisheries Board notified anglers on the River Robe to tender for licences. Is this a new development? Some 200 angry anglers attended a meeting on this matter last night. Are we returning to the rod licence issue?
I am not aware of the meeting to which the Deputy referred.
What about the licence?
That would be a local matter. I understand the fees charged are very reasonable, approximately £1 per day.
It is the principle of the matter about which I am concerned. Are we returning to the days of the landlords?
I know all about principles. When people are put in charge of a valuable asset, the State expects them to take care of it.
The State showed little interest.
They are expected to develop it in the interests of all the people and one must be satisfied in that respect.
I hope the industrial relations matter is resolved soon. Deputy Higgins suggested that the management could be transferred without delay. While that would be possible, it is not desirable. I am anxious that the transfer takes place soon, but I am also in the process of developing a new procedure for regional fisheries boards based on the catchment area approach. Those involved in the River Moy fishery published a report based on that approach.
Of course we want to avoid duplication of effort, but we are not discussing the value for money report. I was struck by a comment in the introduction of that report about the high quality of the officers involved. I was delighted to note their excellent work as public servants is recognised. The other issues in the report can be discussed on another occasion.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.
