Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 22 Oct 1996

Vol. 470 No. 4

Written Answers. - Shannon Regional Fisheries Board.

John Ellis

Ceist:

329 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for the Marine the number of prosecutions which have been taken by the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board in each of the years from 1990 to 1995, in relation to its statutory functions, including that of preventing pollution. [19357/96]

John Ellis

Ceist:

330 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for the Marine the amount which was recovered by the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board in relation to fines and expenses in each of the years from 1990 to 1995. [19358/96]

John Ellis

Ceist:

331 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for the Marine the cost of prosecutions undertaken by the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board in each of the years from 1990 to 1995; and the percentage of this cost taken from the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board budget. [19359/96]

Minister for the Marine (Mr. Barrett)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 329, 330 and 331 together.

The Central and Regional Fisheries Boards are responsible under the Fisheries Acts for, among other matters, the protection of fish stocks in pursuance of which prosecutions are taken against those engaged in illegal fishing and in polluting inland waters.

I have no function in relation to such prosecutions and, therefore, my Department does not have the data requested by the Deputy. I will, however, ask the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board to provide the Deputy with the information sought.

John Ellis

Ceist:

332 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for the Marine the number of employees in the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board; and the number of such employees engaged in enforcing regulations concerning the share certificate scheme and preventing pollution. [19360/96]

John Ellis

Ceist:

333 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for the Marine the number of prosecutions issued by the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board in relation to fishing without share certificates. [19363/96]

John Ellis

Ceist:

334 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for the Marine whether the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board ensures that all participants in fishing competitions approved or assisted by it or its staff have share certificates; if so, if he will make available any reports of such investigations; and the amount of money which was received in respect of such share certificates sold. [19364/96]

Minister for the Marine (Mr. Barrett)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 332, 333 and 334 together.

The Shannon Regional Fisheries Board has a total complement of 50 full-time staff.

Section 12 of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 1991 provides that where a Fisheries Development Society in whose region the holding of a share certificate has been deemed to be a compulsory requirement for trout and coarse fishing requests the assistance of the relevant regional fisheries board in enforcing that requirement, all officers of that board are required to engage in such enforcement.

The holding of a share certificate is compulsory in the northern Shannon area but not in the southern Shannon area. On foot of a request by the Northern Shannon Fisheries Development Society to the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board the enforcement of the compulsory share certificate requirement in the northern Shannon region is, therefore, a matter for the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board. I have no function in relation to such enforcement and my Department does not, therefore, maintain the details requested by the Deputy, I will, however, ask the board to provide the Deputy with the information sought.