Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)

It has taken an inordinate time for this legislation to come before the House. In introducing the Bill, the Minister made the valid point that the bodies responsible for the sector needed to be restructured but it has certainly taken time to do so, this at a time when the inland fisheries are facing serious problems, but also great potential in some areas which require that such an authority be put in place and which should have been put in place before now.

One of the consequences of the delay has been the placing in limbo of the existing regional authorities. This has meant that the postponement of elections has become an annual feature here. It is obvious there has been no opportunity to rejuvenate the bodies concerned. The elections have been postponed for five years at this stage.

It is also fair to say that the replacement of the old regional boards - which had many members on the different bodies - by Inland Fisheries Ireland, which will have just nine members, has not been universally welcomed. Some groups have claimed that the new authority will be less representative and accountable and thus less well able to put forward the views of the broad section of people involved in inland fisheries in various contexts. Some critics have also claimed that the new structure will reduce the input of knowledge as well as lessening local accountability. Some people are concerned about the number of board members to be appointed by two Ministers, effectively giving the ministerial appointees a majority on the core board. Going on past experience, those appointed by the Ministers as political conduits to the local representatives, will leave much to be desired. This does not necessarily have to be the case if members of the new authority are properly selected and have the requisite knowledge, experience and contacts within the sector to allow them to take a proper overview of the sector and come up with the right policies for the future.

One of the reasons it is important to have a new authority in place is to develop areas with the potential for economic growth and employment. Aquaculture is a relatively underdeveloped sector in this country but there is significant potential here for expansion if the proper structures and policies are put in place. Perhaps the authority might also pay heed to those within the sector who have difficulties in respect of the manner in which the European Union sets policy, which is not always in the interests of those seeking to make a livelihood in this State.

Policy is central to the future direction of inland fisheries. Section 10 affords the Minister the power to give policy directions to inland fisheries Ireland and stipulates that the latter must comply with those directions. This suggests that the Minister takes a very centralist view of policy-making. I see the Minister of State, Deputy Conor Lenihan, is nodding his head at that. What mechanisms, if any, will be put in place to facilitate input from the new authority into the consideration and framing of policy? It is important that all parties with a direct interest in the sector, particularly those who are dependent on inland fisheries for their livelihoods, are allowed to participate in the discussion of policy and thereby have some influence on the decision-making process. In addition, angling groups, conservationists and so on should also be able to make their views known before decisions are taken.

Provision seems to have been made for this in the creation of a forum that will hopefully include the types of interest groups to which I have referred and will function in a manner that allows their views to be taken on board, not only after decisions have been made but as part of a broad consultation within the sector on key issues and policies. The same applies to the standing scientific committee which it is hoped will keep the authority and the Minister up to date with issues that arise in regard to fish stocks, conservation and water quality.

The serious consequences of a lack of consultation and accountability were illustrated by the process whereby drift net salmon fishermen were put out of business. There was little or no attempt by the Department to consult with those involved or to consider alternative scientific reports or alternative proposals. The virtually unanimous opposition of the Oireachtas committee was also ignored. In many coastal communities people who had devoted their lives to this pursuit, maintaining the tradition of the generations before them, had their way of life ended by the stroke of a pen. As someone from a coastal area, I understood the detrimental effect this would have on the communities affected. I took the view at the time, and still maintain, that it was the incorrect decision. Drift net fishermen - and perhaps the draft net fishermen too - were penalised for the sins of others.

The criteria for selecting the nine members of the authority are set out in section 12, with the Minister having the greatest say in the selection process. There is a reference to the requirement that all nominees have proven experience and background in areas relevant to the sector. It is essential that all interest groups have an input into the selection process so that their collective expertise can be harnessed into the future. There is also provision in the Bill for the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to have a role in the selection and appointment of ministerial nominees, with the emphasis on the suitability of their qualifications. Section 38 refers to the responsibility on the part of the new authority to submit a five-year corporate plan. In the context of policy and its importance for the sector into the future, will the Minister indicate whether the plan will incorporate policy issues?

Another issue to consider is the authority the new body will have over the various river basins. As I said last week during the relevant Private Members' debate, the diffusion of authority over the River Shannon – of which inland fisheries Ireland will now be part – meant there was no overall authority, and that was unhelpful when it came to dealing with the crisis arising from the recent flooding. Although flooding is not one of the key areas of concern for the proposed inland fisheries authority, it will have some responsibility in this area in regard to the upkeep of rivers and lakes and the possible impact that structures placed on rivers may have in the event of similar rain and flood patterns in the future. The authority may also have an input into planning applications for housing developments close to rivers.

I hope the Minister of State will address all these issues in his reply. It is important that the new authority be established swiftly. It is disgraceful that the outgoing authorities have been in limbo for the last five years, without any reconfiguration of their membership. It is in everybody's interest that action is taken in this regard as soon as possible.

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