Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 February 2010
273 Deputy Pádraic McCormack asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans for the appointment of an angling representative on the inland fisheries committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7255/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware the Inland Fisheries Bill 2009 is currently before the House. This Bill provides for the restructuring of the management of the inland fisheries sector, including the establishment of Inland Fisheries Ireland, a single authority which will replace the existing Central Fisheries Board and seven Regional Fisheries Boards.
I assume the Deputy is referring to the appointment of an angler representative to the board of Inland Fisheries Ireland. As I stated in my second stage speech on the Bill, I am determined that Inland Fisheries Ireland will be led by a small, focused board that is to deliver on the full potential of the sector and which will have a high-level focus on corporate governance. In light of this, the Bill provides that potential appointees to the nine member board must have specified experience of or have shown capacity in one or more of a number of areas including recreational fisheries.
Complementing this high-level board focus and in recognition of the need for and the value of stakeholder, including angler, participation in inland fisheries, provision has been made in the Bill for the establishment of a national inland fisheries forum. It is envisaged that this will facilitate input by local stakeholders into the work of Inland Fisheries Ireland. I also expect Inland Fisheries Ireland to establish effective communication channels to give local interests an opportunity to influence policies and how they are implemented at a local level.
