Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

Much of the structure and architecture of this area originated in the rod licence dispute which raged across the country for a long time and was resolved by the late and much lamented John Wilson. We are rationalising the boards because we are under a standing instruction from the Department of Finance to consider State agencies. The Fine Gael Party has made much of this push to remove or reduce the numbers of quangos or boards of one kind or another. This is my Department's contribution to the process. I am confident that we will put this new authority in place and that it will be up and running before the end of the year. That does not mean that people will lose their jobs. The heads of the Bill give specific statutory protection to some of the people working in the sector and for these boards. It is sensible and timely to remove the regional authorities and centralise them in one particular board. The board's membership will be reduced from 160 to ten. That is one saving that can be achieved. Having a proliferation of boards and agencies organising board meetings at seven regional locations throughout the country uses up a lot of the time of fisheries management officials. The change will save €300,000.

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