Vol. 514 No. 2
37 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the status of his proposal for local fishery harbour management boards; when legislation will be introduced in view of the fact submissions were received by his Department before 30 September 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3559/00]
The present management of the fishery harbour centres is unduly centralised, and lacks the commercial and operational flexibility needed to respond effectively to local circumstances and needs. I will give priority to the development of a new management framework which will devolve the day to day management of the centres from my Department. My objective is to deliver greater local involvement and a more responsive and commercial approach to delivering services at local level within an appropriate overall framework. This is in line with the general thrust of submissions made by interested parties.
I have asked the Department to finalise recommendations for a new framework for my consideration as quickly as possible with a view to bringing proposals to Government at an early date.
The new management system will be the most significant development in the administration of the fishery harbour centres since the enactment of the Fishery Harbour Centres Act, 1968. It will be firmly based on local involvement through boards which will have an input on all issues affecting maintenance and development of their harbours. Mechanisms for appropriate levels of co-ordination between the harbours will also be put in place, to ensure a consistent overall national response to fishery harbour development requirements.
The proposed new management arrangements take account of submissions from all interested parties and are being progressed by my Department at present. I attach considerable importance to his initiative and I have directed my Department to finalise the new measures, and any proposals for necessary legislative or administrative change, as a priority with a view to their submission to Government as soon as possible.
