I move:
That Dáil Éireann approves the following Order in draft:
Elections of Conservators (Postponement) Order, 1978, a copy of which Order in draft was laid before Dáil Éireann on the 19th day of October, 1978.
Elections to boards of conservators, which under the Fisheries Acts 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 and the text of the Bill will be circulated shortly.
As Deputies 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Despite the handicap of their outdated structure, boards of conservators have for many years carried out invaluable work in the protection and conservation of inland fisheries.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 resolution be passed approving of the draft order.