Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2015
575. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to conduct a review of the composition of the two standing scientific committees with a view to having a fair and complete representation of all groups affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3850/15]
View answerThe Standing Scientific Committees on Eel (SSCE) and Salmon (SSCS) are provided for under Section 7.5(a) of the 2010 Inland Fisheries Act. The purpose of the committees is to provide independent scientific advice to Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) who are responsible for the conservation and sustainable exploitation of the Ireland’s salmon and eel stocks.
In framing the 2010 legislation consideration was given to the need for these scientific committees to act independently of IFI Ireland and the relevant sectors in the exercise of their functions. The committees consist of leading fishery scientists from IFI, the Marine Institute, BIM, ESB, the Agri Food Bio-Sciences Institute (AFBI) in Northern Ireland, and third level institutes. The scientists involved act independently of their agencies to produce scientific advice to support the management of fisheries.
While the Committees are independent scientific committees, they are open to receiving and considering scientific inputs and data from parties or stakeholders. The independence and the scientific credentials of the membership of the SSCE and SSCS is an important element in facilitating the carrying out of their work in an impartial, objective manner based on best international scientific practice.
