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

I agree that we need to have what might be called an ecosystem approach. If one looks at any one element of the environment rather than the whole system, one will not get the best and optimal protection of the environment. This legislation is unusual compared with other legislation in that it gives the Oireachtas joint committee the power to appoint board members. Part of the reason for that was to recognise that there will be a diversity of interests on the board. It should have a variety of different perspectives and be broadened out. It is not just in my Department and it is not just down to me, as Minister, or whoever in this role, to make appointments. There is also the Ministers for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and Rural and Community Development. The board is appointed in a way that is quite unusual in that it has a wide variety of different parents in terms of who decides who is appointed to it. That reflects the diversity we need in how we develop and run inland fisheries.