Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)

That is a disgraceful reply. I can tell the Minister what is my understanding of the cost of what is essentially another example of Government waste. Is he not aware that €500,000 is being spent on rent? That is money that has been taken from the budget he allocates and for which he is responsible. This is yet another example of a Minister saying he is not responsible and passing the buck to somebody else. The rent is payable on the offices. I understand the laboratories and storage areas that are separate cost more, perhaps up to €1 million per annum. The Minister is presiding over an example of Government waste and ineptitude, yet he says he is not responsible.

The announcement on the decentralisation of the Central Fisheries Board to Carrick-on-Shannon was made in 2002. Nothing has happened in the meantime. The Minister has not even been able to find accommodation. The difficulty is that staff do not want to move. I know this, as does the Minister but in the meantime there is an empty building in Glasnevin. The Minister did not indicate what was happening with it. It could be sold or used for something else. I have no idea. I am not the Minister but he cannot tell me how much money is being squandered on rent. That money is being taken from the budget of the regional fisheries boards which are losing approximately €100,000 per year, about which the Minister says he does not know. He should. What will he do to deal with an example of Government waste and ineptitude for which he is responsible and from which he cannot walk away?

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