Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. Perhaps he is not aware that, in 2006, the Minister sitting beside him, Deputy Eamon Ryan, described the postponement of elections to regional fisheries boards as "a cowardly act" by the then Government and "a serious indictment of Government policy". Here we are again, in 2008, facing yet further delays in elections to boards and prevarication on any new structures. With all due respect, the Minister of State has not enlightened us on the future of fishery board structures. When he refers to "strong regional structures" what is he talking about? How exactly are these to be developed between policy and management? At the moment, there is a large infrastructure in place. The Minister of State has said he wants stronger regional input, but there is no indication how that will be done. He should clarify that matter.

As regards cost savings, how will the Minister of State avoid the route involved in establishing the HSE? The HSE was supposed to do all these wonderful things the Minister of State says will occur in the fisheries sector, including saving money, but it proved to be extraordinarily costly. What will the Minister of State do that is different? Unless he can tell us, we must presume that he has not learned anything in government and that he will simply make the same mistakes as in the past.

I welcome the fact the Minister of State has now decided that decentralisation is off the agenda, presumably, for the future. I understand, however, that the leasing costs on the premises in Swords amount to something like €1 million a year. What is the Minister of State doing to get value for money in citing this new authority? How will he save money in doing so?

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