Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I thank Deputy Coveney for sharing time. Last week the Minister of State met people from my area regarding this issue. There is great concern about what is happening. Governments must show leadership but this is the third time elections have been postponed and that sends out the wrong signal. Deputy Coveney made a valid point about amalgamating the fisheries boards into one regional board which would be elected, yet people will retain their jobs. I do not say they should be removed but if boards are being amalgamated, jobs will have to be lost. Deputy Coveney referred to the HSE and we have witnessed what that has created. Leader boards have been also amalgamated and the same number of people will administer what has to be administered. We want more efficiency.

It is appalling that the elections are being called off again. There is no leadership in the Department and I am beginning to wonder whether the Government parties care about this industry. That is the part of the problem in this country. This is similar to the issues relating to pigs and cattle that were discussed earlier. We have had so much corruption in this country for so long that it is spreading down. We want real leadership and we want the Ministers and the Government to lead the people. They are sick and tired of what is going on. There are enough officials in the Department and in the Parliamentary Counsel's office to draft the necessary legislation. A committee meeting should not have been held last week before the Minister of State came to the House this week to postpone elections again. It does not make sense and it sends out the wrong signal. The elections should have taken place and we should be discussing the necessary legislation to deal with the restructuring. It should have in place for next year but, instead, it has been put off for another year. The same people are in place and no leadership is being given. Nothing is happening and that is wrong.

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