John Ellis
Ceist:57 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for the Marine if he has any plans to review the operation of the regional fisheries boards.
Written Answers. - Regional Fisheries Boards.
The operations of the central and regional fisheries boards are kept under review on an ongoing basis. The boards perform a wide range of functions relating to the conservation, protection and development of the inland fisheries resource.
A number of major reviews have been carried out of the efficiency and effectiveness of the present structures and various recommendations have been made, including the replacement of the existing structures by a single national authority, and the abolition of the Central Fisheries Board.
The boards have come through a very difficult patch in recent years, having to deal with a serious fall in staffing and financial restrictions, the fall-out of the angling licence dispute and the aftermath of the Ballycotton tragedy.
On assuming office in 1989, I assured the boards that I had no plans at that time to change the structures in place and that remains the position.
The prime focus of any concern at the moment is to ensure that boards have in place adequate safety programmes and also that their finances are managed so that budgets are not exceeded. I also have in mind that boards activities and costs should be presented in programme form and, in particular, that their development role and impact should be fully catalogued.