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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 8 Dec 1998

Vol. 498 No. 1

Written Answers. - Regional Fisheries Boards.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

44 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the reason the elections to the regional fisheries boards have been postponed; the date on which these elections will now be held; the plans, if any, he has to introduce reforms of the boards in advance of the elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26466/98]

I have decided to postpone the elections to the regional fisheries boards for a further year to enable me to complete my review of the inland fisheries services and implement the necessary legislation to underpin appropriate organisational and operational changes over the coming months. The postponement will mean that the elections to the boards are now scheduled for December 1999.

The Deputy will appreciate that to secure the future of this very valuable and unique resource it is critical to address in a comprehensive manner, for once and for all, the difficulties and problems that have detracted from the effective operation of the boards and generally inhibited the development of the fisheries. It is my intention to announce early in the new year the changes I propose to implement and an opportunity will be provided in this House to discuss them in detail.

My review will address the operational and structural arrangements of the Central and Regional Fisheries Boards. I am in particular concerned about the relative roles and responsibilities of boards to ensure that the services are delivered in a more effective and efficient manner. A second concern of mine is to ensure that the composition of the boards adequately reflects both the interests of those with a direct involvement in the fisheries as well as the wider public desire for the optimum development of the inland fisheries resources, particularly in our major catchments. As part of the review I am also examining a number of other issues affecting the long-term development of the sector, including planning and reporting process, and accountability and resource allocation.

I do not want to discuss any further details of the review at this time until I have completed my considerations, but as I have said, there will be an occasion for further discussion in the coming months.

A copy of the draft order postponing these elections was laid before the House on 26 November and I will be asking the house to approve its terms shortly.

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