Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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Question 410: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is satisfied that the current board of Inland Fisheries Ireland satisfies the criteria for membership as defined by the 2010 Act; and his views that it is sufficiently representative of the overall sector. [9432/12]

Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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Question 411: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is satisfied that the interests of active commercial fishermen are represented on the board of Inland Fisheries Ireland. [9447/12]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 410 and 411 together.

Section 12(5) of the Inland Fisheries Act 2010 (No 10 of 2010) provides for twelve areas of experience from which the nine members of the Board of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) shall be drawn, including business, commercial affairs, environment and biodiversity, aquaculture, fisheries ownership etc. The Act makes clear that members of the Board are appointed with a view to representing the public interest in respect of inland fisheries.

Section 12 of the Inland Fisheries Act 2010 (No. 10 of 2010) provides that the Board of IFI shall consist of ten members. The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources is empowered to appoint three members including the Chairperson on his own nomination and two members on the nomination of the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government and the Minister for Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Affairs.

Section 12(3) of the Act provides that three members of the Board shall be appointed by the Minister on the nomination of the Joint Oireachtas Committee for Communications, Natural Resources and Agriculture. The Committee, through the Public Appointments Service, sought expressions of interest for the three positions from individuals who had recognised expertise or a track record in one or more of the areas set out in the Act.

In accordance with Section 13 of the Act the Minister appointed one Board member who was elected by the staff of IFI.

Section 12(2) of the Act provides that the Chief Executive Officer shall be an ex-officio member of the Board.

I am satisfied that the current Board membership is representative of the broad sector and is consistent with the provisions of the 2010 Act.