Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)

The establishment of a new national inland fisheries body will subsume the existing central and regional fisheries boards, thereby reducing the number of boards from eight to one. In addition, the number of board members will be reduced from around 160 at the moment to ten or even fewer. That in itself is a welcome development. We are in the process of putting together an implementation group comprising officials from the Central Fisheries Board and regional fisheries boards, which will be chaired by the Department. Shortly after the announcement on budget day, the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, and I, along with our officials, met with CEOs from the various fisheries boards. We explained to them the decision that had been made by the Government. I appreciate what the Deputy said about the history involved and the difficulties people may have in accepting what we are doing. We are living in changed times, however, and people realise that rationalisation must take place. The meeting we had was constructive and we look forward to the support of the various boards in implementing that decision.

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