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Seanad Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 20 Apr 2010

Vol. 202 No. 1

Inland Fisheries Bill 2009: Second Stage.

Question proposed: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time."

I am pleased to have the opportunity to present the Bill for consideration. Its main purpose is to facilitate the restructuring of the inland fisheries sector through the establishment of a new national inland fisheries body which will be known as Inland Fisheries Ireland and which will replace the existing Central Fisheries Board and the seven regional fisheries boards which were established in 1980. The status quo is no longer valid almost 30 years after the design of the current structures was put in place. Too much has changed in the intervening years such as our understanding of the environment, the complex interplay of habitats and species, ecological biodiversity and the status of our inland fisheries stocks. Equally, too much is set to change to allow the continuation of the existing regime without modification. The restructuring proposed is in line with the programme of rationalisation of State bodies generally.

The State's role in the inland fisheries resource is concerned with the conservation, protection, management and development of freshwater fisheries throughout Ireland, including the management and surveillance of stocks listed in the habitats directive. In addition, the remit covers certain activities at sea, including protection of salmon and sea trout, and the support of sea angling. It is widely acknowledged that the inland fisheries resource, across all species, is under serious threat from environmental factors, including pollution, habitat degradation, water quality factors and over-exploitation.

The Government has faced up to hard decisions in recent years, including closing the commercial mixed stock salmon fishery, the creation of a salmon hardship fund at a cost of €30 million to provide relief for those affected by the closure of the mixed stock fishery, the unequivocal adoption of scientific advice in the management of the salmon fishery and measures to protect our stocks of European eel. However, there is more to do. It is imperative that we put the right structures in place to ensure the conservation and sustainable exploitation of our inland fisheries resource in the future. While the Department has overall policy responsibility for the conservation, management, regulation and development of the inland fisheries resource, it is assisted in its mission by the central and regional fisheries boards. Other agencies such as the Marine Institute, the Loughs Agency, Bord lascaigh Mhara and the ESB also play an important role in the sector.

In cognisance of the increasing obligations on Ireland under European law and, in particular, responsibilities under the habitats and water framework directives, the Government has decided that Inland Fisheries Ireland should manage and report on its operations on the basis of the river basin districts established for the implementation of the water framework directive. Aligning the management of Inland Fisheries Ireland in this way will enable an integrated ecosystem approach to be adopted which will be fully co-ordinated with the structures already in place for the implementation of the water framework directive for environmental and habitat protection across all animal species. It will also better enable these matters to be dealt with on a co-ordinated North-South basis and be beneficial in terms of implementing future EU sponsored measures in the sector.

Between them the central and regional fisheries boards comprise more than 150 board members, with each regional board having up to 23 members. Such numbers are unwieldy by any standard and can lead to divergent interests and competing aims between stakeholders. As we have seen in other areas, there is a need within boards for a high level focus on corporate governance and strategic issues. This will be best achieved by putting in place a small focused board on State bodies. Accordingly, it is proposed that the board of Inland Fisheries Ireland will consist of nine members.

Following on from the approach adopted in the Broadcasting Act 2009, I have made provision for the involvement of an Oireachtas joint committee in the appointment of some of the members to Inland Fisheries Ireland. This continues a positive practice in appointments to State bodies and I look forward to working with colleagues in both Houses as part of this process. I stress this does not mean there will not be a role for the existing fisheries board members who have a genuine interest in inland fisheries and wish to make a legitimate contribution to the future development of the resource.

The Bill requires Inland Fisheries Ireland to establish a national inland fisheries forum which will provide for a stakeholder input into policy formulation. It is envisaged there will be representation across the spectrum of stakeholders in the forum. Terms of reference for the operation of the forum are being drafted and I have advised the joint committee that I will circulate them for information once they are available. Stakeholder involvement is vital at a local level. However, it needs to be properly structured and channelled to ensure the input from diverse and, sometimes competing, stakeholders can be utilised to best effect. Such mechanisms should be operated by Inland Fisheries Ireland through the national inland fisheries forum. I expect the new body to put in place local advisory structures which will ensure the expertise and goodwill in the regions will not be lost.

In considering options for the rationalisation of the sector it will be more beneficial for fisheries co-operative societies to cease and for resources deployed through them to be used as a basis for a grants scheme for local development groups. Such a scheme will be developed and operated by Inland Fisheries Ireland.

More than 400 staff are employed by the fisheries boards. I stress that the terms and conditions of existing staff will not be lessened and that there is specific provision in the Bill to ensure this is the case. I recognise the energy and commitment of the competent inland fisheries workforce. It is important that this energy is harnessed to enable the continued sustainable exploitation of the resource. In these straitened times, however, we need to reduce the cost of public services and the newly streamlined Inland Fisheries Ireland will be better equipped to do this than the predecessor organisations. The new structures will be better able to cope with the required savings on public sector numbers applicable across the public service generally.

There is potential for additional savings and a better use of existing resources as a result of the replacement of the Central Fisheries Board and the seven regional fisheries boards with a single body and the elimination of the National Salmon Commission and eight fisheries co-operative societies. The House will appreciate that it is difficult to quantify these savings, as they will occur over time, but I expect them to be delivered. The management of the service is operating with a budget which is reduced compared to the 2009 allocation and is set to meet the challenges applied to public expenditure budgets.

I propose to outline the main provisions of the Bill. A detailed explanatory memorandum was prepared when the Bill was first published which provides a synopsis of its provisions. The Bill comprises 82 sections and six Schedules. Its purpose is the establishment of Inland Fisheries Ireland. However, for the purposes of better regulation, a number of existing provisions of the legislation governing inland fisheries management are restated. The restated provisions are unaltered, apart from changes to ensure they apply to Inland Fisheries Ireland and some minor drafting amendments. This ensures that as many provisions as possible pertaining to the new body are contained in a single statute which will make it easier for those referring to the legislation.

Part 1 contains standard provisions dealing with definitions, repeals and expenses connected with the Bill. Section 5 provides that Inland Fisheries Ireland will be established on a day to be determined by the Minister by order. It is important a realistic target date is specified for all parties to work towards. In this regard, subject to Oireachtas approval of the legislation, I have set a target date of 1 July as the establishment day for the new body.

Part 2 sets out the provisions governing Inland Fisheries Ireland and transitional arrangements required to ensure the smooth changeover to the new structures. The body will assume the functions of the existing Central Fisheries Board and regional fisheries boards and, in addition, undertake a number of new functions which are set out in section 7. The principal role of Inland Fisheries Ireland will be the protection and conservation of the State's inland fisheries resource. It will also be required to promote, support, facilitate and advise the Minister on the conservation, protection, management, marketing, development and improvement of inland fisheries, including sea angling.

In recognition of the need and the value of stakeholder participation in the sector, provision has been made in section 7 for the establishment of a national inland fisheries forum. Inland Fisheries Ireland will also become responsible for the establishment of a standing scientific committee which will advise on technical and scientific matters relating to the management of the State's inland fisheries resource. This replaces the standing scientific committee established by the National Salmon Commission. Section 7 also ensures Inland Fisheries Ireland has the necessary powers for the continuation of the issuing of licences and striking of rates in accordance with the existing fisheries legislation.

Section 8 ensures that all the functions conferred on the central and regional fisheries boards under the existing statute are transferred to Inland Fisheries Ireland on the establishment day.

Section 9 provides that Inland Fisheries Ireland will manage and report its business on the basis of the river basin districts defined for the purposes of the European water framework directive. The section also allows for the modification, by order, of this arrangement if necessary. Such modification is subject to consultation with the joint Oireachtas committee, Inland Fisheries Ireland and such other bodies as the Minister deems appropriate.

Section 12 sets out the membership and method of appointment of members to Inland Fisheries Ireland. The chairperson and two others will be appointed on the Minister's nomination, two members will be appointed on the nomination of the Ministers for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs. One will be a staff representative appointed following an election process. The remaining three members will be appointed having regard to the advice of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. That follows the approach adopted in the Broadcasting Act 2009. In addition, it is proposed to include the CEO as an ex officio member of the board, as is standard practice in State agencies.

I have always maintained that the board should be small and contain a strong focus relevant to the business of Inland Fisheries Ireland and to the general issue of good corporate governance. I believe the provisions in the Bill achieve that. This is of particular importance given the significant annual budget for which the new body will be responsible. The Bill provides that potential appointees to the board must have had experience of or have shown capacity in one or more of a number of areas, including recreational fisheries, angling, commercial fishing and ownership of fisheries. Those competencies are no more or less important than the other competencies listed in the Bill, such as business or commercial affairs, environmental or biodiversity matters and legal or regulatory affairs, all of which are essential to effective stewardship of a State-sponsored body. It is my intention that members appointed to the board will have the necessary expertise and competency to lead Inland Fisheries Ireland to deliver fully on its potential.

Section 13 sets out the procedures for the election of a staff representative to the board of Inland Fisheries Ireland. Section 14 makes provision for the term of office of members of Inland Fisheries Ireland and provides for a system of rolling appointments. That should ensure the corporate knowledge of the board is preserved at all times while also bringing fresh ideas and faces to the boardroom.

Sections 15 to 22 set out the usual best practice procedures for the board including conditions of office, removal of members from office, resignations, casual vacancies and meetings and procedures of the board. Sections 23 to 27 make provision for the CEO of Inland Fisheries Ireland and provide for the delegation of the functions of the CEO to other staff members and the further sub-delegation of such functions.

Sections 28 and 29 provide that the CEO shall be accountable to the Committee of Public Accounts and to all other committees of the Oireachtas. Section 30 makes provision for the appointment of employees to Inland Fisheries Ireland. Section 32 contains standard provisions relating to superannuation. Section 33 restates the equivalent section of the Fisheries Act 1980 and provides for the preparation by Inland Fisheries Ireland of a staff scheme for the regulation, control and management of its staff. Sections 35 to 39 contain usual provisions dealing with standards of integrity, unauthorised disclosure of confidential information and the protection of whistleblowers. Standard provision is also made in sections 41 to 47 in respect of corporate plans, estimates, grants, accounts and audits applicable to Inland Fisheries Ireland.

Sections 48 to 56 set out the transitional arrangements for the changeover to the new structure and provides for the dissolution of the central and regional fisheries boards. Provision is made for the transfer of property, assets, rights and liabilities, including superannuation liabilities, to Inland Fisheries Ireland and to ensure that existing contracts, agreements and arrangements remain in force.

Section 49 facilitates the transfer of employees of the existing boards to Inland Fisheries Ireland on terms and conditions of employment no less favourable than those enjoyed immediately prior to the transfer. Employees of Inland Fisheries Ireland will be covered by a broad range of employment protections under employment law. Sections 55 and 56 require Inland Fisheries Ireland to prepare final accounts and a final annual report in respect of the central and regional fisheries boards.

Part 3 restates existing provisions of fisheries legislation which deal with the administration of inland fisheries. These provisions remain unchanged apart from some minor drafting amendments and necessary changes to ensure they apply to Inland Fisheries Ireland. Section 57 restates provisions dealing with the by-law making powers of the Minister. The value of fines applicable for breaches of by-laws have been increased in keeping with the consumer price index, since last amended, to bring them in line with current values.

Part 4 of the Bill restates a number of provisions of the Fisheries Act 1980 dealing with offences and legal proceedings under existing fisheries legislation. Again, monetary penalties have been increased in accordance with the consumer price index in order to ensure they are in line with current values. In most cases the fines were set in 1980 and have not been changed since. Section 80 restates the equivalent section of the Fisheries Amendment Act 2000 which put in place a regime for the payment of on-the-spot fines for minor inland fisheries offences in lieu of prosecution through the courts.

Part 5 restates certain provisions of the Fisheries Act 1980 which deal with miscellaneous matters including powers of the Minister in operating a fishery. No changes have been introduced other than to ensure the provisions apply to Inland Fisheries Ireland.

There are six schedules to the Bill. Schedule 1 sets out the repeal of existing fisheries legislation. Schedules 2 and 3 detail amendments to existing statutes and statutory instruments, which ensure that references to the central and regional fisheries boards are appropriately changed. Schedule 4 sets out procedures on the protection of whistleblowers. Schedules 5 and 6 restate the Fifth Schedule to the Fisheries Act 1980 and the Schedule to the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 2000 respectively.

The Bill is an important measure in delivering new management structures for our inland fisheries resource. We need to equip inland fisheries management for the challenges of the future but at a time of public sector reform. I am determined that every opportunity must be availed of to effect economies and attain efficiencies from within the system to deliver further value for money against the significant Exchequer investment in this resource. That said, I want to safeguard the inland fisheries resource in the face of significant upheaval caused by demands of contemporary 21st century society for spatial development and economic progress, past excesses in exploitation of stocks and impending climate change factors.

I take the opportunity to put on the record of the House my appreciation for all of those who have served on the existing boards and for their dedication and commitment to our national resource. I am sure they will continue to play a valuable role and I know that we all share the best interests for the future of the sector. Delivery of the new structures is achievable by the target date of 1 July and I hope Members will be supportive of this legislation which is required to facilitate the significant changes for the management of the sector.

I welcome the Minister and record my appreciation for the courtesy of his officials who are present in arranging a helpful briefing prior to today's meeting.

It bears repetition that our inland rivers and lakes are an enormous resource for this country in terms of our own use, recreational enjoyment and quality of life but also in terms of our tourism product and the economy. Rivers and lakes occupy 2% of our landmass and they are a significant resource which should be treated with respect and care. They should be available for the full enjoyment of our people and as a tourism resource. Sea angling, which comes within the terms of reference of the legislation, is of equal importance to tourism and has greater potential than is being currently realised. Our sea angling product needs further development. The 2005 Farrell Grant Sparks review of our resources in this area estimated that angling-related tourism and the commercial salmon fishing element of rivers and lakes had a value of €19.1 million to the economy. That is significant and its management must be of great importance.

It is reasonable that after 30 years we would review the structures. Inland Fisheries Ireland will replace the seven regional fisheries boards, the National Salmon Commission and the fisheries co-operative societies. The legislation will amend and update the Fisheries Acts 1959 to 2007. The Bill also updates the penalties. I support the move to bring the penalties into line with the consumer price index. For them to have any effect, they should have a reasonable punitive dimension.

Although the Minister stopped short of estimating the savings accruing from rationalisation I understand, based on various sources and opinions, that a saving to the Exchequer in the region of €300,000 per annum should be realised. Of course this is to be welcomed. It might seem small money in the overall context, but if we take the approach that every sum is small money, we will never realise any savings. This is an important dimension.

My party is strongly in favour of reducing the number of quangos, and the duplication of bodies and their functions which results in additional costs and a lack of co-ordination and coherence. Those of us who have served in local government or in politics at any level will be aware there are so many bodies doing the same thing that one does not know what the other is doing. The country is awash with them. We are not quite as bad as Greece but that is not something to be happy about. We need to deal with this. On that basis, I have no problem supporting the reduction in the number of quangos. This is very much consistent with a point we have been arguing consistently. Our spokesperson in this area, Deputy Leo Varadkar, has been campaigning consistently at Oireachtas level and beyond for the rationalisation of quangos.

I spoke today to people from the fisheries sector. One difficulty with the current fisheries boards is that regions can act independently. There can be a lack of co-ordination. The west could be doing one thing while the east could be doing something different. The bodies have tended to be unwieldy. With 23 members, the structure was a bit cumbersome and big. The lack of co-ordination between individual fisheries boards did not represent the best modus vivendi or way to proceed.

It would be remiss of me not to say there are many outstanding people on local and regional fisheries boards. They have a passion for fishing and love of the environment and the amateur status of fishing. They have a commitment to the country, tourism and a quality outdoor way of life. To besmirch them in any way would be wrong. Their commitment cannot be understated or under-regarded. Nonetheless, that does not suggest we should not have reform.

The functions of the new inland fisheries body will include the protection, management and development of freshwater fisheries, the management of stocks and sea angling, and marketing. There is tremendous and increased potential for the marketing of our sea angling product and of inland fisheries on rivers and lakes in terms of their potential for indigenous recreational fishing and tourism. I understand from the industry, by way of anecdote and other means, that there has been a reduction in the number of visitors to Ireland, notably from England, for angling. While there are many contributing factors, it is a source of concern. I gather from guest-house owners that there has been a marked reduction in visitor numbers over recent years. This is a source of concern and it makes it important to have effective marketing and sales, good stock levels, quality water and good fishing opportunities for anglers.

Access to lakes and rivers is important. This is an issue in rural areas. It is not specifically relevant to the legislation but it does to pertain to it. I ask the Minister to comment on it later during Second Stage. I refer to physical access and issues associated with rights of way. In some areas, the lack of access is a disincentive to fishing on certain lakes and streams.

Tragically, flooding has become a huge issue in many parts of the country. The Acting Chairman, Senator Bradford, would be much more familiar with this than I am in that his area was much more affected than mine, although mine did experience some damage. Flooding has been of extraordinary consequence over the past winter and autumn. It will be necessary for Inland Fisheries Ireland to draw up a plan to cope with flooding nationally. This is not referred to specifically in the legislation, which is regrettable. I ask the Minister of State to comment on the need to put in place a plan to cope with flooding problems.

There is a requirement in the legislation that a national inland fisheries forum be established by the new fisheries body. This is welcome. The Opposition parties, specifically Fine Gael, would prefer the terms of reference of the national forum to be set out more specifically and to be more embedded in the legislation. This also applies to the method of appointment to the forum.

With regard to the advisory forum, there will be a certain lacuna by virtue of the abolition of the regional fisheries boards. There will be a lack of democratic contact and a lack of bubbling up of the views of anglers and amateur groups on the ground, local tourism interests and communities. However, the forum will provide a means for the bubbling up of opinions, attitudes and ideas to the nine-member board. It is important that there be a local dimension. The Minister made reference to this and said it would be the function of the forum and board to create local structures whereby people can input their views.

With regard to the terms of reference of the forum, there should be a very widespread regional dimension. There should be a widespread dimension in terms of the various amateur groups and stakeholders such that they will all be involved in the national forum. The national forum should in some way compensate for what will be lost in the abolition of the regional fisheries boards in terms of local input and control. One can never underestimate the value of local opinions. We would have preferred more clarity in this regard. I welcome the fact the management will be based on the six river basin areas in regard to the water framework directive.

When considering the legislation on whistleblowers, our amendment seeking protection for whistleblowers was accepted on Committee Stage in the Dáil. I welcome that as it is necessary.

I am happy the joint Oireachtas committee will be making three appointments. I hope the Minister will make his appointments very early and that the appointees will reflect the various regions and strands. I hope he will explain to the committee why the appointees were selected. In making appointments, gender balance will obviously have to be considered, as will regional balance and the views of various interest groups and amateur groups. I ask the Minister of State to ensure those appointments are summarily dealt with, that there is an early rationale for them and that the committee acts with that knowledge. It is important that those facets are included in the legislation.

Fine Gael is essentially supportive of the legislation on the grounds that rationalisation must be good. We are concerned that there should be clarity around the democratic input through the national forum. We are concerned, too, that the democratic input should be ensured by the diverse nature of the actual board as well as by a diverse national forum and local consultation. With those qualifications we accept the legislation. I look forward to the Minister of State's response to those particular points.

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit chun an Bille seo a phlé. I welcome the Minister of State and his officials who have obviously worked hard in preparing this legislation for us. The Bill, while it restates many of the provisions in previous Acts regulating inland fisheries, primarily sets out a new overarching structure, Inland Fisheries Ireland, which takes over the roles of the regional fisheries boards and the Central Fisheries Board. That is a move in the right direction. As a consequence there will be a significant reduction in the number of board members. The Minister of State mentioned 150 board members, with 23 in each regional fisheries area. That structure will now be replaced by a board of nine and I acknowledge the Minister of State's continuing intent to involve the Oireachtas joint committee in the appointment of board members. How well we did in that regard is another question and I shall return to this a little later. None the less, it is now an organisation which the Minister of State indicated will have in the order of 400 employees. While some of those will be seasonal workers, most will be employed full-time. The board members will be appointed rather than being elected, so there is a fundamental change in that regard.

I concur fully with the sentiments expressed by Senator O'Reilly about the need to reduce the number of quangos, eradicate waste and be much more cost effective in the manner in which we administer the State apparatus. There is great scope for savings in every Department, and perhaps this aspect is not being embraced as energetically as is warranted in the current climate. People working within the service should not fear that, and neither should politicians or those at the top who are paid exceptionally well, such as Secretaries General and their deputies. They should be embracing this challenge and pursuing it in such a way as to restore public confidence in the public services and give pride to those working within them in the knowledge that they are part of lean, energetic, efficient and cost effective organisations. The enthusiasm and dynamic that results from knowing one is part of such an organisation is extremely beneficial for the processes, administration and delivery of services to the public, which ultimately is what public service is all about. I am afraid we have lost sight of some that, so I fully concur with what Senator O'Reilly had to say in that regard.

We should be cognisant of the fact that in the past the regional structures provided an element of accountability to the administration of this particular State function. The removal of that will have some implications. I listened with interest to what the Minister of State had to say about the national forum which the new body will be tasked in establishing. It is to be hoped, as Senator O'Reilly said, that will go some way towards addressing the issue. I am mindful, however, of the weaknesses that may materialise. A prime example was the terrible mistake we made with the HSE. I remember arguing strongly at the time both with the Minister and others in Government to the effect that taking away the regional structures completely and having no overview apart from executive accountability at a tier below national level was a mistake. We have seen the consequences of that within the HSE. I am not a tremendous critic of the HSE which by and large does a reasonably good job. However, it could be done much better. The waste certainly runs into hundreds of millions, if not billions, and this could be targeted with a better focused structure. It need not even be at regional level but might, in fact, just concentrate at county level on the delivery of services in hospitals, community care, etc. This obviously is a much smaller operation than the HSE, but basically that area should be watched.

I noted the Minister of State's comments to the effect that the transfer of the staff to the new body would not militate against existing terms and conditions of employment. There is provision within the Bill for that and this is standard within most Bills where quangos are being set up. I have more than a slight reservation in this regard. There are provisions already within European legislation for transfers of undertakings and employees transferring in the private sector on the same terms and conditions. However, once they move to a new organisation there is no inhibition on this body to pursue efficiencies, achieve better organisational structures including, perhaps, rationalisation of personnel and that whole area. We have found that some of the quangos we have established are operating quite inefficiently at a cost well in excess of what is necessary. Many of them will point to this transfer situation in legislation, which appears to go well beyond what is required in the private sector, based on European law. That should be looked at as we cannot afford systems within our public administration that are not cost effective, especially where there are good managers. I appreciate that in many of these bodies there is not good management but where there is, managers should not be inhibited from implementing efficiencies and structures better than what they inherited. In that regard, I note the Minister of State indicated that in these straitened times we need to reduce the cost of public services. The newly streamlined Inland Fisheries Ireland will be better equipped to do this than its predecessor. He believes the new structures will be better able to cope with the required savings in public service numbers applicable across the public service generally.

I have raised an issue in the House before in the context of the NAMA legislation, and I am not sure whether the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, or the Minister for Finance was present. I called for a specific statutory obligation in the Bill for the organisation to be lean, effective and cost efficient and to give the best value for money that could be achieved. In other words, there should be a statutory obligation on the chief executive of the organisation to do that. This is important from the viewpoint of the public purse and the cost of running the public service where some 40% of all current expenditure is being passed on for future generations to pay. That situation is not sustainable, even in the medium term, and probably to a very limited degree in the short term.

If we include such a provision, we could avoid the recurrence of specific instances such as those that occurred in the recent past, where people in charge of a number of these quangos did not measure up to reasonable expectations of performance but who left with enhanced payments and gratuities in some instances. This is seen by the average person as almost a scandal in itself. However, if there were a statutory obligation, the Minister would be in a position to measure performance and if somebody was failing to meet that statutory obligation, the Minister could dispense with their services without any form of compensation. We must seek to operate on the same basis as the private sector in this regard. Fairness and reasonableness should permeate both the private and public sectors. There is no reason that one sector should be at a disadvantage, or advantage, against the other.

I note the cost of running Inland Fisheries Ireland, IFI, will be approximately €3 million less than its previous incarnation as a fisheries board. That is good, even though I presume that most of the €3 million will be made up of the reduction in public service salaries and the approximately €300,000 which will be saved by removing the expenses of the various boards that existed previously. It is a step in the right direction and I believe we should move further in that direction. A board will be appointed under this Bill. Obviously, there must be tremendous emphasis on the board having the knowledge to do the job and give direction to Inland Fisheries Ireland, but it must also have the commercial expertise to ensure the body operates efficiently.

In that regard, I was aghast recently when the new board of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, BAI, approved the budget of €7.6 million brought forward by the chief executive. It was only when the Oireachtas joint committee took issue with this imposition on the industry and sought significant reductions in the budget that it was reduced to €5.7 million. There are many bodies under the control of the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. Over the next few months the Minister should invite the boards of all those bodies to meet him and he should impose an obligation on them to meet their responsibility in the current economic climate of ensuring that everything possible is done to cut costs.

I will conclude with a few minor points. I welcome many of the statutory obligations imposed on IFI under the Bill. Perhaps there should be a little more emphasis on exploiting the tourism potential. There is great scope in that regard. Admittedly, the body will take a keen interest in clean water and conservation, which are fundamental to attracting tourists.

Finally, the monetary penalties to be applied have been brought up to date from 1980 by the application of the consumer price index, CPI. We are making a mistake in this Bill by not including some escalation of the penalties for the future. I understand it is intended to bring forward a consolidation Bill, which might deal with that issue, but it would be no harm to provide in all such Bills for some escalation in penalties. I am not sure if the CPI is appropriate. However, there should be an automatic mechanism to ensure the penalties do not become obsolete or redundant due to inflation and the passage of time.

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh. This Bill is likely to be welcomed by everybody. When speaking before the Minister in this House some time ago on a different topic I quoted a seanfhocal I recalled from my school days: "Éist le fuaim na habhann agus gheobhfaidh tú breac" or listen to the sound of the river if one wishes to catch a fish. With this Bill the Minister has listened not just to the sound of the marketplace but also to the changes that are taking place in production from inland fisheries. Establishing the new board and the forum makes a great deal of sense. On foot of what Senator Walsh said, I just hope the envisaged savings will take place.

I was interested to read the report of the Oireachtas joint committee, Diversification of Inland Fisheries in our Communities, and particularly its approach on tourism, recreational angling and other areas, which I am sure influenced the Minister's team when compiling this Bill. I particularly liked the report's reference to the Irish weather, where it stated that because we cannot change the weather, we must change to suit the weather. There are changes and challenges and I hope the opportunities we will have with this new legislation will be helpful.

This Bill will allow our fisheries sector to operate more effectively and to realise even more of its great potential, which has not always been recognised in the past. The Bill also provides a welcome opportunity to have a wider discussion on fishing in this country. In the supermarket business, my company introduced the world's first meat trace-back programme in a joint effort with a Trinity College start-up, IdentiGEN. This occurred in 1994 or 1995. At the height of the BSE or mad cow disease scare and the foot and mouth disease outbreak that occurred later, my company's sales of beef experienced double digit increases. This was due to the effort we put into traceability.

Traceability will become increasingly important in the future. I do not know how easy or difficult it is to apply to fish but this type of technology is now taken for granted. Is there now scope to consider "fish to fork" as opposed to farm to fork? Mr. Charles Clover of The Daily Telegraph has set up a very interesting website, fish2fork.co.uk, with a ratings system to encourage restaurants and consumers to make informed choices. He refers to some fish that are scarce, and I assume he is referring not just to inland fish but also sea fish. He says that bluefin tuna, for example, should not be served at all. The well known chef, Jamie Oliver, has removed bluefin tuna from his menus and recipes, and some of the big restaurants in the UK have had second thoughts about serving it. I am not suggesting that bluefin tuna is likely to be found in the rivers of Ireland but this is an example of what is happening in this area. Can Irish restaurants follow a similar example? Can we encourage the Irish customer to eat local fish produce and encourage restaurants to serve it? Do they need to be pushed to do it? I believe it is more likely they can be pulled if there is consumer demand, and perhaps we can do something in that regard.

Is it ethical to keep eating farmed salmon, given that many salmon farms have earned criticism for damaging fragile coastal areas, polluting waterways with waste and antibiotics and spreading parasites to native fish? Penned salmon also frequently escape, where they breed with wild populations and dilute their genes. The fish meal fed to farmed salmon has been shown to be contaminated with toxic chemicals such as PCBs, which can lead to unsafe levels in the meat, and producing the feed can result in over-fishing. Do people know that in the wild, salmon feed on deep ocean krill and other small fish that are generally not eaten by humans? Farmed salmon, on the other hand, are fed processed anchovies, sardines and herring. I only learned this recently. It takes 2kg to 4kg of wild-caught fish to produce 1kg of salmon. Therefore, it takes hundreds of wild fish to produce one wild salmon.

The Target Corporation is a big American supermarket group. It is probably the second largest retail company in the US after Wal-Mart. Target has become the first leading US food retailer to stop selling farmed salmon in its stores, citing the negative impact of salmon farming on the environment. It has eliminated all farmed salmon from its fresh, frozen and smoked seafood offerings in its hundreds of stores in the US. Leading US retailers, including Target's main rivals, Wal-Mart and Whole Foods, the natural and organic foods supermarket which is highly recognised, have started to pay more attention in recent years to the sustainability of seafood purchasing.

I propose a suspension of the sitting, as the Minister of State is urgently required in the Dáil. I apologise to Senator Quinn.

Sitting suspended at 5.10 p.m. and resumed at 5.30 p.m.

Wal-Mart plans to continue selling farmed fish but has said it will eventually source all of its wild-caught seafood from fisheries certified as sustainable by the US Marine Stewardship Council.

A positive development in Ireland comes from Ocean Harvest Technology. This Galway-based company has developed a product called OceanFeed to replace the synthetic additives currently used in commercial salmon feed. It is being hailed as a major breakthrough on product quality and environmental benefit for the €6 billion farmed salmon industry. It is believed that OceanFeed will be a key ingredient in helping to make the industry more environmentally and financially sustainable.

We also have to ask hard questions in other areas. Given that some fishmongers are arguing that cod stocks have recovered by approximately 5%, should we permit cod fishing around Ireland or wait until cod stocks recover much more before we even consider cod fishing again? I acknowledge cod is a sea fish but I am using it as an example of the trend in sustainability.

One notable company in Cork uses very large and broad nets to let smaller fish escape. This company is obviously progressive in its thinking but there are other stories of fishermen who still catch everything possible. Why is this still happening and how do we placate faddish Western tastes while making fishing sustainable?

It has been reported that a new and dangerous non-native invasive plant called creeping water-primrose has been confirmed by the central and regional fisheries boards as being present in a pond in County Kerry. This is the first time the plant has been recorded in Ireland. A native of South America and some US states, creeping water-primrose is a water-based herb with deep roots and tough stems which form dense mats strong enough to impede the passage of boats and prevent angling, swimming and other water-based recreational activities. It is believed that once established it will compete with native plants and result in damage to the native habitat. Its presence can also lead to a reduction in dissolved oxygen levels in the water and under certain conditions may adversely affect fish stocks. Dr. Joe Caffrey, a senior research scientist with the Central Fisheries Board, has stated:

If this invasive species were to spread throughout Ireland, the economic and ecological cost to the country would be too great to quantify... It is a cause of concern that many of these non-native invasive species can be purchased from retail outlets nationwide. However, legislation will soon make it illegal to import or sell such highly invasive species and this development is to be welcomed.

I ask when such legislation is due to come before us and how the establishment of Inland Fisheries Ireland can help us to fight invasive species which are so damaging to the water life and the environment in general.

This Bill is worthy of our consideration and support. I hope as we scrutinise it we amend areas we identify as in need of improvement.

Given that the current structure has been in place for 30 years, it is appropriate that we examine it afresh. It is welcome, therefore, that the Inland Fisheries Bill 2009 has come before us for our consideration. However, while it contains a number of positive measures, I am concerned as a Senator from Galway that we might lose the local focus which has developed over the years. Whenever we replace existing regional bodies, such as health boards, with national bodies, we create greater efficiencies through central administration at the risk of losing local knowledge which has been built up over many years.

The habitats directive and the water frameworks directive are substantial pieces of European legislation. Having looked at the European legislation, the habitats directive and the water framework directive, in particular, are fairly substantial pieces of legislation, and this Bill looks at implementing those.

I had the great honour of being vice-chair of the Western River Basin District Project — that is quite a mouthful but there are river basin district projects right around the country — and I certainly welcome the section of the Bill which looks at implementing the structures around the logical geographical areas of the river basin districts. That is an innovative way of looking at water. It is correct that the river basin districts cut across geographical boundaries. Fish do not obey national boundaries and borders. They just do what they have been doing since time immemorial. Fish just swim where they feel like it; they do not pay attention to passports etc. Therefore, the way matters are being structured in the Bill is the correct way to do it.

This Bill looks at the area of conservation. Senator Quinn mentioned invasive species. As I know from my past experience, water is one of the key attributes of the health of an ecology, an economy and a society. Water is absolutely crucial to our future in this country. Traditionally, we have thought of ourselves as having extremely good, healthy water but on many occasions the reality has proved to be quite different. We must work hard to ensure our water quality is up to the standards we need and expect. Having good quality clean water in future will be one of our greatest assets. This country's wealth can definitely be determined by having good quality food, good quality water and good locally produced energy. Those are the areas that will underpin future economic wealth and the future environmental health of our society. Luckily, due to the lack of over population, we have a fairly pristine environment in terms of water. As people point out, we have a great deal of water — much water certainly comes out of the sky in the west from time to time.

We have tended to take water for granted. Having spoken to many fishermen around Ireland they, in most cases, are great conservationists. The health of our rivers and lakes is a great measure of the health of our environment. It is to some extent the proverbial canary in the mine shaft. My father remembers looking as a young fellow over the Salmon Weir Bridge in Galway and seeing endless salmon ready to swim up the river. A few years ago I had the great privilege of seeing something similar, but the fact is that the salmon stocks have decreased considerably, as have many other fishing stocks in the country, and a significant amount of management needs to take place to ensure we have the high quality of fishing stocks that we need.

Clearly, there are issues with fish farms, and the way fish farming practices and our management of water practices are carried forward. I put forward a view a number of years ago that, in the case of our rivers and lakes — Lough Corrib would be the area that I have much understanding of — we need to be careful about building in their proximity, how we manage the catchment areas and how we manage the local environment, and this Bill is largely putting forward a framework for dealing with such issues.

However, a number of years ago we in Galway city had a problem with cryptosporidium in the water. There is still much cryptosporidium in Lough Corrib. There is still an enormous amount of pollution going into the lakes and rivers around the country. We rely on water treatment to filter these out but I believe we need to ensure that pollution does not go into the lakes and rivers in the first place. We need to have rivers and lakes which are as pristine as possible. It is, of course, the fisheries by which we can judge the health and quality of the ecosystems in the lakes.

Senator Quinn spoke of invasive species. Lagrosiphon major is a significant problem in Galway. It is a pond weed which does not have any natural enemies and it can take over our lakes and rivers. The Minister needs to look at how we can save the habitats of the lakes so that invasive species do not destroy them.

Finally, I will mention something which I always find quite extraordinary. The pearl mussels in Lough Corrib and around the country are disappearing one by one. Zebra mussels and other invasive species are taking over our lakes. The pearl mussels are the longest living species in this country. They live to over 150 years. Nobody lives as long as pearl mussels. There are pearl mussels alive today which were there before this country became a republic. It is quite extraordinary that we have such species but, unfortunately, their conservation is not going well. The conservation aspect needs to be ramped up because the lakes and rivers of our country are a national treasure. This is a good Bill and I hope it does the job of keeping our country clean.

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important Bill and also welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, and his officials.

This Bill has been expected. It has been a long time on the horizon and it has arrived at last. Looking over the debate pack compiled for us by the library and research team, which was quite informative and well researched, I noted some interesting exchanges and contributions made in the Dáil during the last term. I will refer to a couple of those before I conclude because they are certainly worth reflecting on at this time. In the absence of a crystal ball in the political sphere, it is always amazing when one makes a comment in Opposition and then become a Minister. One wonders whether the philosophy underpinning one's contribution to this issue is still as strong as it was on that occasion.

One point I want to make about the Bill in its entirety is about the area of fisheries, marine, the management of waterways, coastal communities and coastal economies. There is a considerable level of fragmentation in the way we handle fisheries and marine issues. In his contribution, for example, the Minister stated the Department has overall policy responsibility for the conservation, management, regulation and development of the inland fisheries resource, but went on to mention that other agencies such as the Marine Institute, the Loughs Agency, Bord lascaigh Mhara and the ESB also play an important role. In terms of Departments, the Departments of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and Agriculture, Food and Fisheries are involved. There are a significant amount of stakeholders involved at a strategy level, and that is not helpful. In terms of an overall marine strategy, in terms of having one Department, one Minister and a co-ordinated comprehensive approach to all the issues contained in this and all the issues and responsibilities that are also being handled by other Departments, it is not helpful in the political context, or in the economic context given the climate we are currently experiencing, that there is so much fragmentation about an area that is so rich and could be used to reboot certain sections of the economy.

In my contribution at the Labour Party conference in Galway over the weekend, I stated that for every one job created at sea, 1.2 jobs are created on land. This kind of evidence is coming from organisations such as the ESRI which states, on its multiplier, that every €1 generated in a seafood company generates €4.60 in the local economy. It is one of those areas where, if we apply a co-ordinated comprehensive strategic approach, we can look at such matters and reboot the local economy providing jobs and a much needed lift to areas dependent on small indigenous industry to survive. As the Minister will be aware, there are many communities that depend largely on such seasonal industries, which are small but very important in terms of coastal and rural economies.

There is a number of points I want to make on the restructuring process. The functions of the new authority will be largely based on those of the existing central and regional fisheries boards. The new authority will, however, establish and manage a national inland fisheries forum, the deliberations of which will provide a stakeholder input. How strong will that input be? The Minister spoke about extending the involvement of stakeholders being the philosophy that underpinned the organisation. Will this be enshrined in law?

Provision is made for the composition of the authority and the method of appointment of members to it, including criteria to be met by potential appointees. Provision is also made for the election of a staff representative to the authority. Has there been extensive consultation with the workers and unions involved? How will their terms and conditions of employment be protected in the move to the new authority? Will the embargo on recruitment in the public service impact on the authority's staffing requirements? What is the extent of the staffing requirements of the new structure? Has a root and branch analysis of this aspect been made?

Is there a hard figure for how much the restructuring will save the Exchequer? The Minister claims it will lead to a saving of €300,000 per annum. Where will such savings emerge? Every Member is agreed on the need for more efficient and effective management of inland fisheries resources and more integrated policy formulation. Assurance was given by the Minister of State, Deputy Calleary, that the headquarters of the north-west fisheries board would remain open in Ballina, County Mayo. Will buildings for the authority be leased? Will extra resources be made available to cover the costs of meeting the authority's accommodation needs? Regarding accountability, who in the Department is in charge of this aspect of the plan? There must be an element of value for money in this regard.

How extensive was the Minister's consultations with the chief executive officers of the various fisheries boards? How much of this shaped the legislation? The chief executive officers would have had strong local knowledge of the issues affecting their fisheries, as well as knowing the workings of their organisations. I assume the Department's objective is to prevent creating another authority such as the Health Service Executive which in 2000 was to cure all the ills of the health board structure but which instead has become a bureaucratic mess, requiring much money to sustain it and lacking accountability and transparency. Before the HSE, the health board structure had a local decision-making element to it. Now it is centralised; applications for the over 70s medical card being handled in Finglas, Dublin, is one example. Such a move removes the local element from the process, as well as the influence of local elected representatives. It is unhealthy for democracy, makes the job of a public representative more difficult and does not augur well in creating new agencies. I hope the Minister and his Department will avoid a repeat of this with the new inland fisheries authority.

Greater investment is needed in coastal communities. What role will those with the commercial resources and opportunity to invest in such communities have in fisheries policy formulation?

Will a group be set up to monitor the establishment of the authority and ensure value for money and accountability in the process? What power would such a group have, if it were in place, to enforce obligations on the new authority? The last thing we need is for the new authority to be established, given extra powers and allowed set off into the sunset only to discover later that it was not such a success as originally envisaged. Who will be accountable to the Houses of the Oireachtas for the workings of the authority? When a Member tables questions to a Minister, say the Minister for Health and Children, on a health matter, very often he or she will be informed it comes within the HSE's jurisdiction, not the Minister's. We must remember the role of a public representative is being consistently undermined by the creation of quangos. We must ensure it does not happen with the proposed inland fisheries authority.

The postponement of the elections to the fisheries boards was once described by a Member of the Lower House as a cowardly act. It is a turn of political fortune that this Member is now the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. I am sure Deputy Ryan is as glad as we are to see the conclusion of this business with this legislation.

Coming from a county which has a lake for every day of the year, I know well how fishing is linked with tourism. In recent years, however, fishing tourism in County Cavan has been in decline. We used to have many visiting fishermen, mainly from Britain but also from Germany, Holland and France, who generated much revenue for the local economy. One reason behind this decline was insufficient fish stocks due to pillaging through netting and lining, often in the middle of the night, that led to the cleaning out of rivers and lakes.

Senator McCarthy referred to the costs that would accrue from this restructuring exercise, while putting the necessary resources in place to ensure fisheries regulations were implemented. Recently in Virginia, County Cavan, up to six Garda squad cars had to be used to seize bags of fish taken from the local lake by fishermen, highlighting the lack of resources available to the Central Fisheries Board.

We have not got the tourism boards to promote fishing as a sport in Ireland.

I raised the issue previously at other venues but nothing was done about it. In addition, we should have more control over fishing clubs. There are many fishing clubs which have their own rules and regulations to allow them do their own thing. That must be examined.

We must examine also some of the fishing tackle shops that are selling not just fishing bait but animal snares and so on as well, which I believe are illegal and cruel. Those are important issues.

Another area we must examine is fish farms. We have a perch farm in Cavan. The people involved run a good show but they are not getting a sufficient number of grants to keep that farm on the road. Many people have never heard of perch and some ask what it is like to eat. Perch is on most menus on the Continent, as is pike. One of the main items on the menu on cruise liners is perch. I would like to see those farms being assisted in whatever way we can.

Overall, it is a good idea to have one group in control rather than the way it is currently but, as Senator McCarthy said, we must now promote fishing as an industry. That is important. Much revenue could be generated from that apart from the savings we are talking about in staffing and so on.

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit, Deputy Mary Alexandra White, go dtí an Teach. As Senator Brady rightly said, fishing is linked to tourism and we hope this Bill will act as a catalyst to entice fishermen and women back to Ireland. Senator O'Reilly made that point also in his fine contribution.

The purpose of the Bill is to restore the inland fisheries sector. That must be its purpose but in his contribution the Minister spoke about the status quo and change. Listening to his contribution did not give me much confidence in that regard. I hope the Minister and his Department, which has overall responsibility for this area, will work with the different agencies and stakeholders because it is important we assist local residents, promote tourism and protect fish stock.

The restructuring of the inland fishery sector is to be welcomed. The savings of €300,000 per annum should not be ignored. They are significant. Yet again, the Green Party and Fianna Fáil have shown a willingness to adopt and embrace Fine Gael policy on the abolition of quangos and the amalgamation of different sectors to provide a better service to the people. I commend them on that.

I note in the explanatory memorandum and the excellent resource pack that there is a reference to a strong regional presence. The main thrust of my contribution is about the need to address the problem of flooding, especially in regard to the upkeep and maintenance of our rivers and river banks. Specifically I will address the issue of dredging and de-silting of our rivers. I appreciate that there are different viewpoints on the issue of the height of the river and the level of silt but it is time we formulated a clear policy on flood relief programmes and this new body should work in co-operation with the Office of Public Works, the county councils and other regional authorities where necessary.

I refer to what happened in Cork last November in the area of Ballinhassig, and particularly in the area of Tullig Beg, where I along with my Oireachtas colleagues met residents who have been severely affected by flooding. A small group of people in Ballinhassig, on the edge of Cork city, have been affected by flooding on the Owenabue river. What we have seen is the accumulation of silt on the river making it virtually impossible for the water levels we experienced to be allowed to flow. As a result we have had flooding causing people to be discommoded from their homes, and in some cases they have not yet been able to return. We then have the ignominy for the residents in that the Minister with responsibility for the OPW did not include their specific request in the announcement of flood relief works. That is unfair to those families and sends out the wrong message.

I accept that inland fisheries are a tremendous natural resource of which we should be mindful but we must also look after residents who are affected by flooding. I appeal to the Minister, Deputy Mansergh, who I regret had to leave the Chamber, to revisit this issue because we have competition in terms of how best to serve local communities. Some people say we should not de-silt or dredge rivers while others say we should do that.

I note there is no reference in the functions of the Bill to the role of the new inland fisheries authority regarding dredging and maintenance of our river beds and banks. If I have missed it the officials might advise the Minister of State, Deputy White, when replying to the debate. I hope she would ask the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, to ensure the flood prevention and relief works in the Ballinhassig area through Tullig Beg, where there is a small pocket of residents affected by flooding, can be addressed through this new body.

The Minister, Deputy Ryan, makes great virtue of the fact that he is using the committee to appoint members to the board but I am disappointed, and I refer to the Minister's speech, that under section 12 he does not have confidence in the committee or the public appointments process to appoint the chairperson through public competition. I hoped he would have said that the chairperson of the board would be appointed through the public office commission rather than through the Minister who will have the power to appoint two nominees. I am aware the Green Party has a great record in Government of appointing its own people to boards. Fianna Fáil's record in that regard is second to none but——

The Deputy's party is not bad at it.

——I was hoping that this new Government of a green hue would take meritocracy to a different level. Alas, I am disappointed. To ensure the Green Party gets its way again, the Minister, Deputy Gormley, will appoint two more and therefore we will have, in effect, five Green Party members appointed.

Does the Senator remember when Deputy Michael Noonan appointed the people to the health boards the night before he left office?

I remember when the Senator's party abolished them, and the Senator comes to the House every day and calls for them to be brought back.

The Senator was sacked by Deputy Micheál Martin.

And by the way, we sacked all the Senator's party's nominees.

Senator Buttimer, without interruption.

Yes, and look at what has happened since then. The good news is that the Fianna Fáil Party and the Green Party will be sacked by the people at the next general election.

The Senator butts in more and more. That is the trouble.

That is the good news. The Fine Gael Party is in favour of the Bill. It will provide for the creation of a single national authority, which is important. The strong regional presence is imperative in the context of the remarks I made about the flooding, flood relief and flood protection. Common sense must prevail regarding landowners and home owners who have been seriously affected, as the Minister of State, Deputy White, is well aware. Her own town of Carlow has flooded in recent years.

I love the line in the Minister's contribution referring to stakeholders. Can we forget about the word "stakeholders" and talk about home owners, landowners and fishermen and women? Let us not call them stakeholders. Let us give them a name and an identity other than stakeholders, which is an anonymous label that looks great in a report but means nothing. I thank the Acting Chairman for his indulgence.

I welcome the Minister of State to the House and I wish her every success in her Ministry. I have no doubt she will acquit herself very well using her experience of being an active councillor in Carlow, then being elected to the Dáil and appointed as a Minister of State. It is a great honour and experience to be appointed as a Minister of State. I was appointed three times by the former Taoiseach, Charles Haughey, to the Departments with responsibility for posts and telegraphs, transport, health, and trade and marketing. Each Department provides a great opportunity for a Deputy to serve the State on a full-time basis while continuing work as a Deputy. The additional role is magnificent and I am sure Deputy White has found it very interesting to be briefed by officials. I am also delighted the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Ryan, introduced this Bill.

Senator Buttimer may not know the history of appointments but when Deputy Michael Noonan was Minister, on the eve of the change of Government he appointed people to health boards and I was removed. In fairness, the current Taoiseach, Deputy Brian Cowen, rectified the situation because it was quite inappropriate. People in Fine Gael should not lecture anyone in Fianna Fáil or the Green Party on appointments because they are past masters at it.

Was Senator Leyden not dismissed by the current Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Martin?

That is another day's work. I was not reappointed; that is a different thing.

That is a gentler way of putting it.

We will deal with the Bill before us. Bringing together the fisheries boards under one umbrella organisation will lead to greater efficiencies and a better, co-ordinated response in times of disaster, such as last year's floods, and in streamlining joined-up policy. In section 12, a multidisciplinary approach is taken to recruiting the membership of the board, who are nominated by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. I am also heartened to see the qualifications of those appointed are open to scrutiny by the relevant Oireachtas joint committee. This is an innovation. I am not sure why there is no tie-in with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources but no doubt the Minister of State will clarify the situation. The current boards have been served well by their membership. In respect of the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board, which covers the area I represent, I commend the appointees and the appointees of the staff associations, especially Mr. Seamus McDermott who served very well as an employee of the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board and as a member of the board. He has been extremely diligent, as has been Ms Chandler-Kennedy, the IFA representative.

The only criticism I have of the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board is that it introduced fees and is charging on certain rivers on the Shannon system while no such fees are demanded in nearby areas. The River Suck, River Inny, River Brosna, the Little Brosna river and the River Camlin are subject to charges. The charges are €37 annually, €11 for one day and €19 for 21 days. These charges are punitive, disproportionate and unwarranted and create distortions and obstacles for a community and a region trying to hold on to its tourism industry. There is inconsistency in this regard. One fisheries organisation charges and all others do not. I lived between the River Suck and the Derryhippo river. I regularly meet fishermen who must get these permits and it dissuades them from coming to our area. It is one of the great disadvantages to fishermen in our area who can travel to another River Shannon area where there is no charge. One advantage of having a single fisheries board is that it can decide whether to have a charge. I do not recommend these permits. All our rivers run free.

It was very difficult to be in government when introducing trout fishing licences in 1989. I remember visiting houses that had signs indicating that canvassers for Fianna Fáil were not welcome because of the permits issue. Some of those totally opposed to trout fishing licences became converts to the idea of these permits. It is interesting how matters change.

I raised this issue in November and so am pleased the matter will be tackled by the new national fisheries board. We were told licences were compulsory on the River Suck. German fishermen were told this and were told they could leave the Dunamon area and fish in another area. They decided to terminate their holiday and return to Germany and they have not been seen since. That is not what we want. We want to encourage those who fish to come here. Regarding the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board, the 2007 annual report of the Central Fisheries Board states that in partnership with the local authorities and as part of the Fáilte Ireland national development plan angling initiative, a number of infrastructural improvements were completed across the region. Projects included car parking facilities in County Roscommon, an access road, a car park, and disabled angling stands in Westmeath. These were very welcome in a location near Dunamon Castle, which is the leisure centre connected to the Irish Wheelchair Association. The fisheries board created fishing stands that are particularly suited to those in wheelchairs and set up toilets and other facilities. I compliment the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board on this work. It possibly used some of the money raised through the permit system but nevertheless there should be a level playing pitch to encourage those who fish to come to the country. It is a great industry and is great for tourism. This will be a productive Bill and I wish the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Eamon Ryan, success in its passage.

I did not intend to speak on this legislation but listening to contributions of my colleagues on both sides of the House, I wish to support most of what I have heard. I wish the Minister well in the passage of this legislation in the Seanad and I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy White, to the House.

I listened with interest to the comments of the previous speaker. I recall the division in the country in 1988 and 1989 when rod licences hit the political trail. The Minister at the time was Brendan Daly and it seemed innocuous legislation but caused major political turmoil and division across communities. I am sure we will not have such difficulty on this occasion but any time since 1989 that we have dealt with legislation governing inland fisheries, angling and fishermen, we reflect on the division of 1988 and 1989.

The legislation is welcome and the concept of a single authority or agency taking control and slimming down the structures in place is the realistic and difficult policy we must enact if we are to turn around the fortunes of this country. The saving from the rationalisation process will not be significant. A figure of €300,000 or €400,000 was mentioned. Across all Departments and a plethora of State boards and bodies there must be a level of investigation leading to amalgamation and an end to the quango system, even though it is difficult for all of us. I am a Member of these Houses long enough to know that all political parties appoint people to boards and agencies when they have the opportunity to do so, but we are now in a new political dispensation and we must streamline and slim down the functions of the State and Government agencies in so far as we can. It is to be hoped this agency, Inland Fisheries Ireland, can take charge of the work and the role previously undertaken by various fisheries boards. It is fair to say the vast majority of people who served on these boards did their absolute best to conduct business in an effective fashion. However, given Ireland's sad new economic state we need to rationalise where we can and this legislation is a positive step in this regard.

The role of the new agency is significant. It will have responsibility for and charge of angling in particular, which is a major task. It is often forgotten that angling rather than football, rugby, hurling, soccer or equine activities is the most popular pastime not alone across this country or the Continent but worldwide. My colleague Senator Phelan has just asked me how I know this. I know this from experience. There exists a huge opportunity for us to develop further the angling industry here which as stated by Senator Brady could lead to a major increase in tourism numbers. We heard earlier from Senator McCarthy figures in regard to the number of jobs that could stem from fisheries, in particular inland fisheries.

The entire package with which this legislation deals is significant. This will not be the most important legislation enacted in the Oireachtas this month or even this year but it is significant and can play its part in developing our angling industry to the maximum possible degree, building on our tourism numbers and improving our waterways and environment. The Bill deals with an interesting combination of matters. I speak not as an expert but as a lay person.

I wish the Minister of State, Deputy Mary White, and her colleague, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Ryan, well in having this legislation enacted. I believe it is the correct response to the situation. It is hoped the Minister will respond favourably to the proposed amendments from Senator O'Reilly and this side of the House.

I wish to share time with Senator McFadden.

Is that agreed? Agreed.

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Mary White. This is the first occasion since her elevation to the position of ministerial office that I have had an opportunity in this Chamber to congratulate her. Many people in Carlow and Kilkenny are glad to have a representative who is Minister of State in government. I wish her well in her endeavours in what is a difficult time to be in government.

I wish to speak about a couple of issues in the context of this Bill. I have never been a member of any of the regional fisheries boards and have no difficulty with the genesis of this Bill, namely, the streamlining of the inland fisheries authorities into one body, which is to be welcomed. I have in my time had limited experience in dealing with the fisheries boards. However, I would like to raise a number of issues in regard to our rivers and this Bill presents me with an opportune time to do so. The Minister of State will be as familiar as I with the rivers in the south-eastern region, namely, the Barrow, Nore and Suir. Senator Bradford and other speakers referred to the potential for tourism on the rivers, in particular angling. However, a question arises in regard to maintenance of the rivers. I am sure the Minister of State is as aware as I am of what happens on a regular basis at certain times of the year in Carlow and Kilkenny by way of flooding in the towns and villages located on the banks of the rivers there. I accept there is an overlap in this regard in terms of the Office of Public Works being largely responsible for the maintenance of rivers and alleviating flooding on the rivers in the south-eastern region and across the country.

I commend the angling clubs as I am aware that most of the work by way of maintenance on the lower reaches of the River Nore is carried out by anglers. They are the ones who through their angling clubs put in the effort in terms of maintaining the river. I urge the Government, Office of Public Works and new inland fisheries board to do more in terms of action to alleviate flooding, the maintenance of river banks and, desilting of rivers. It is rare these days that rivers are cleaned in that sense.

I raised this issue with a number of people a few months ago when my office in Thomastown in Kilkenny was for the first time since I took occupancy of it flooded. It was the worst flooding since the 1960s. Many people who live in the area believe this was partly due to the fact there has been little maintenance of the river in terms of desilting, keeping the banks clear and unblocking the eyes of arches of bridges that have become blocked over time and to a change in the structure of the banks. In other words, the river channel has moved and no action has been taken by the relevant authorities to alleviate the possibility of future flooding. I accept this issue may be a little tangential to the Second Stage debate of this Bill but I wanted to place on the record that I and many people who live in river valleys and operate in towns prone to flooding, such as Graiguenamanagh, Thomastown, Inistioge and Carlow are not happy that enough is being done to alleviate the risk of flooding. For whatever reason, there has been a change in the volume of rainfall at particular times of the year and flooding which would previously have occurred once every ten, 12 or 20 years now occurs a couple of times a year. The water has been out on the quays at Thomastown twice during the past 12 months. I am sure the same has happened in many other parts of the country. There needs to be a body of work carried out by the relevant authorities to ensure flooding is alleviated and that the flooding of people's business premises and homes does not continue into the future.

I support and welcome the thrust of the legislation which seeks to streamline a duplicated service across the country. I would like to see a serious effort made by Government and the relevant authorities to clean up our rivers and to make them a more valuable natural asset in terms of attracting tourism to many parts of the country.

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Haughey. I come from Athlone which is in the centre of Ireland. We, like Senator Phelan and the people of Kilkenny, have had massive trouble with flooding. I warmly welcome any restructuring and reorganising of the management of our rivers. However, I am concerned about whether this body will have autonomy and if the OPW will have control over the new board. I recently visited the Cathaoirleach's part of the country, namely, Meelick, Victoria Lock and the Cut. I was quite shocked because the flood had reached the Athlone area. Of the 20 gates at the Cut, seven were closed. As Senator Phelan said, trees, silt and so on are in our rivers. Who or what will be responsible for cleaning them out?

I was a teenager in the 1980s when the mainstay of tourism in the Athlone area was German and English fishermen. They fished from the bank but can no longer do so because of siltation. They have to wade out very far and it is not safe because the river is not steady. It has destroyed that element of the tourism industry. I also have concerns that €40 million has been provided for river basin management projects, yet more consultants will be employed. I question what they will do.

If one comes from an area such as where I and the Cathaoirleach come from, it is very obvious what needs to be done. If the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources was in touch with the people and locally it would find what needs to be done is very clear. I ask that there be consultation with the local people.

I warmly welcome the tidying up of fisheries and the fact that the trout and course fishing body has been abolished. It is not a bad thing. I ask that fishermen be consulted and connected with what is going on and how money is being spent. Most importantly, the OPW should be allowed to be the co-ordinating body of our rivers and the fisheries body should listen to what the OPW is saying about flooding because ultimately it is the person, household and farmer who should be considered over everything else.

I am delighted to conclude the Second Stage debate in the Seanad and thank the Members of the House who contributed to the debate on the Bill for their positive responses. I also thank the Senators for their agreement that this is an important Bill. Its main objective is to establish a single body, Inland Fisheries Ireland, which will be charged with the protection and conservation of our inland fisheries resource. One must remember that freshwater lakes cover approximately 2% of the area of the State. There are also in the region of 13,840 km of main channel rivers. These freshwater systems are inhabited by a variety of fish species, including game species such as salmon, sea and brown trout and course species such as pike and bream.

I will respond to some of the points raised by Senators during the course of this debate. Senator O'Reilly noted the cost savings which will result from the restructuring. The most visible and immediate savings will occur as a result of the reduction in administrative and associated costs of servicing eight separate boards and related board expenses which are estimated to be in the region of €300,000 per annum. In addition to financial savings, the new model will combine and thus ensure the better use of existing resources and deliver improved value for money management of the State's resource.

The McCarthy report identified the potential for savings of approximately €4 million from the restructuring. While the report does not set out a detailed regime for bringing about such savings, the new body will have a clear focus on efficiency and value for money from the outset. I draw the attention of Senators Walsh and McCarthy to the obligations contained in the Bill requiring the chief executive officer to be accountable for the economy and efficiency of the new body in its use of its resources.

On stakeholder input, I remind Senators O'Reilly and McCarthy that in recognition of the need for and value of stakeholder participation in the sector, provision has been made in section 7 for the establishment of a national inland fisheries forum. I see it as the vehicle by which local stakeholders will be facilitated to provide input to the work of Inland Fisheries Ireland. I assure Senator Ó Brolcháin that I expect the board of Inland Fisheries Ireland to establish effective communication channels to involve local interests and influence policies and how they are implemented at local level. The terms of reference for the forum are being drafted and an understanding has been given to circulate them to members of the Oireachtas committee as soon as they are available.

The Bill is an important measure in delivering new management structures for the inland fisheries resource. Inland fisheries management must be equipped for the challenges of the future at a time of public sector reform. The vision for Inland Fisheries Ireland is to have a lean, effective and efficient inland fisheries organisation, governed on a national basis with a strong and responsive local presence. I want to ensure the inland fisheries resource is safeguarded in the face of the significant challenges ahead. Inland Fisheries Ireland can deliver that.

I reiterate my appreciation for all those who have served on the existing boards for their dedication and commitment to our national resource and our shared interest for the successful future of the sector. I welcome the constructive manner in which this Second Stage debate has been approached and thank all Senators for their contributions.

I thank the Minister of State.

Question put and agreed to.
Committee Stage ordered for Tuesday, 27 April 2010.

When is it proposed to sit again?

At 10.30 a.m. tomorrow.

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