I move:
That Seanad Éireann approves the following Order in draft:
Elections of Conservators (Postponement) Order, 1978.
a copy of which Order in draft was laid before Seanad Éireann on the 19th day of October, 1978.
Elections of Conservators (Postponement) Order, 1978: Motion.
Elections to boards of conservators which, under the Fisheries Act, would normally be held every five years, have been deferred by amending legislation since 1974. Under the Elections of Conservators (Postponement) Order, 1977 elections were postponed to 1978. I now propose to make an Order postponing these elections to 1979. Before I may make this order, it must, in accordance with statute, be laid in draft before each House of the Oireachtas and a motion approving of it must be passed by each House.
This further postponement is necessary as it is considered inappropriate to allow elections under the old system to go ahead in advance of the new legislation designed to give effect to the main recommendations of the Inland Fisheries Commission. This legislation, which is entitled the Fisheries Bill, 1978, has already been introduced by way of Long and Short Titles in Dáil Éireann and the text of the Bill will be circulated shortly.
As Senators are no doubt aware, changes in the existing structure of boards of conservators are warranted having regard to the fact that the present system, which has been in existence for over 100 years, still retains some of the unsatisfactory features of a 19th century type administration. Under the proposed new legislation the boards will be abolished and no further elections in their regard will arise. The boards and the Inland Fisheries Trust will be replaced by a central board and seven regional boards whose constitution will be suited to present day requirements. The boards of conservators, whose existence this order will maintain, will cease to exist when, on enactment of the new legislation, the new boards are created.
Despite the handicap of their outdated structure, boards of conservators have for many years carried out invaluable work in the protection and conservation of inland fisheries. I wish to again express my own personal and my Department's appreciation of the great work done by the boards and by their staffs. This is all the more praiseworthy when one considers that members of boards give up their time and energy voluntarily.
It is fortunate that our inland fisheries have had the benefit of the service of such dedicated people who have been willing to continue in office beyond their normal term. I have no doubt that when the new boards come to be constituted, we will see included many of the people who have given such loyal service down the years.
I accordingly recommend to the House that a motion be passed approving of the draft order.
It is regrettable that there is once again another postponement in regard to this matter. At least 12 months ago we were assured that the elections would take place in 1978 and it is therefore regrettable that they should be postponed for another 12 months. I hope that this will be the last postponement and that the new legislation will come before this House very shortly.
I, too, would like to add my congratulations to the members of the boards of conservators throughout the country who have done an excellent job over the years and who have done so with not the most updated equipment and facilities which could be laid at their disposal and have carried out what was a very tedious and onerous type of responsibility. Conservation of inland fisheries is something which commands increasing respect and attention and it is imperative that people entrusted with that responsibility should be given by the State every facility and amenity to enable them to carry out their duties.
It is not worthwhile going into the merits or defects of the system as it has operated up to the present under the boards of conservators since I certainly hope that this will be the last postponement. I would urge the Minister to bring before this House the legislation he envisages so that it can be dealt with expeditiously and the new board of control established.
I accept that the Minister has to postpone the appointment of boards of conservators and I think that it is only right that this postponement should take place because the whole fishing industry is at present undergoing a completely new look operation as far as we in this country are concerned. The difficulties we are having at present, due to entering the Common Market, in regard to fishing limits and the depleting of our salmon stock and so on—all these problems associated with the fishing industry will give certain background information to the Government and it would be most unwise to rush any legislation through simply because the boards of conservators will be playing a major role in the implementation of any new laws that are drafted to control the fishing industry. I hope, like the previous speaker, that we do not have to postpone the appointment of these boards of conservators again, but I accept that it is necessary to give the matter very detailed consideration at this time.
I want to emphasise that this is positively and definitely the last occasion on which I or another Minister will be coming before this or the other House with a motion of this kind.
The Bill is in draft now; certain i's are being dotted and t's being crossed and I would hope to have it ready for publication before the end of this month. On its publication we can have a fruitful and constructive discussion on the whole question of our inland fisheries administration and the reforms that are undoubtedly required to put it into some order commensurate with the sort of task that we face in regard to the conservation and enhancement of our inland fisheries at present.
I mention this fact so as to put Senators' minds at ease. This is just a technical matter to ensure the continuation of the status quo which expired yesterday. The status quo will automatically terminate on the passage of the new legislation. We are extending the term of the present boards which will automatically terminate when the new legislation will pass both Houses of the Oireachtas, presumably and hopefully early in the new year.
Question put and agreed to.