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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 9 Jul 1974

Vol. 274 No. 4

Fisheries (Amendment) Bill, 1974: First Stage.

Leave granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to postpone certain elections pursuant to the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act, 1959.
—(Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries).

When will the Bill be circulated?

It will be circulated this afternoon and I hope that we will be able to take Second Stage and, in fact, all Stages tomorrow. It is a short Bill. I do not think there is anything contentious in it. Its purpose is to prolong the life of the present boards of conservators for a further year while we are awaiting the report of the Inland Fisheries Commission which we expect in some months time. It was felt that this should be taken into account before going ahead with any change in the boards of conservators.

I happened to see an advance copy of the Bill a few minutes ago and, on its face value, it does not seem to be as simple as the Minister suggests. Could we order it for tomorrow week? What is the rush about taking it tomorrow?

The life of the present boards of conservators expires very shortly. Either they have to be replaced for the full period or——

If that is so, why was this Bill not introduced last week or the week before?

I understand the difficulty was that the report of the Inland Fisheries Commission was expected sooner. They say it just is not possible to give their report and have it considered properly in time.

What is the latest date for the reappointment or the re-election of these boards?

October, 1974, is the date. In October, 1974, the boards go out of office.

We are not in any rush then to have this Bill taken tomorrow. I am sure a week will not make any difference.

A week does not make any difference. I can assure the Opposition that there is nothing in the Bill——

I accept the Minister's assurance that there is nothing in the Bill. There is nothing coming from his Department either.

Could we order it for tomorrow?

We could order it for tomorrow week and we will see what is in it?

Second Stage ordered for Wednesday, 17th July, 1974.
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