Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I do not believe there was any contraction in the staff or activities of Inland Fisheries Ireland. It is a critical agency that manages our inland fisheries. It has quite a large staff complement. There is quite a large number of staff right across the country managing our inland waterways, policing the system and protecting the key salmonoid rivers, the great western lakes and other key waterways. The number of staff serving to the end of quarter 2 of 2020 was 298, or 299 effective full-time equivalents. The control framework recognises that the organisation can have a staff of 312 but a new corporate plan for the period from 2021 to 2025 is being drafted by Inland Fisheries Ireland. It has to be approved by me, as Minister. The board of the organisation has nine ordinary members, seven of whom are non-executive members. Inland Fisheries Ireland recently recruited through the Public Appointments Service a new chief executive, Mr. Francis O'Donnell, who is due to take up the position on 2 November.

Inland Fisheries Ireland is progressing. The new strategic plan will be key. The new chief executive will have a key role. The agency is in good health and there is no reduction in its services.

Could Deputy O'Rourke repeat his earlier question about the Ulster Canal?