Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)

I am pleased to have an opportunity to contribute to the debate on this important legislation. While it might not be of immediate interest to everybody, it is of vital interest to communities throughout the State. My party welcomes the proposed centralisation of the existing fisheries boards into one centralised authority which we hope will lead to greater efficiency throughout the State. In light of the various directives from Brussels in this area, we must be more organised and efficient in the way we do our business in order to tackle the issues affecting people's livelihoods. We have approximately 144,480 hectares of lakes and 13,840 km of rivers in this State - a substantial quantity of waterways to be protected. The potential of those waterways in this time of economic crisis, when we are seeking ways to create employment, cannot be overstated, particularly as a means of promoting tourism.

I live close to the River Suir in Tipperary and clearly recall the large volumes of salmon and other fish that could be found there some 30 or 40 years ago. As a young person I recall fishermen and tourists enjoying the wealth of the river, with whole families being fed on its produce. Despite the many European Union directives seeking to protect our waterways, rivers throughout the State are starved of fish. The Government must act in a strategic way to reactivate those rivers. There is potential throughout the south-east region and elsewhere in the State to encourage visitors from all over Europe. A recent report indicated the potential for that type of tourism but also an awareness of the depletion of fish stocks. Seasoned fishermen in Europe know we do not have sufficient fish in our rivers to meet their requirements. That problem must be addressed by the new authority, as I am sure the Minister and many of his colleagues will agree. There are people in rural areas who can offer accommodation in their houses, in addition to a high quality of life. We can build other facilities to complement fishing tourism. We have a major opportunity to develop fishing holidays, competitions and festivals in inland parts of the country. When people come here with a fishing rod, which is a simple thing, we should be able to cater for them.

I am concerned about the towns and villages in my constituency through which the River Suir passes. I refer to towns like Cahir, Clonmel and Carrick-on-Suir and villages like Ardfinnan, Golden and Newcastle, all of which in my home county. There is huge potential in other counties like Wexford, Kilkenny, Carlow and Cork, not to mention the midlands region. We are spending a few hours discussing this Bill today. We will consider it again on Committee Stage before it is enacted. While I welcome the fact that we are doing something about this sector, we must follow through on it. We should deal with the issues other speakers and I have raised. I refer specifically to the need to develop the potential of fishing tourism.

We need to do something about several rivers in this country. I note that the body being established under this legislation will have to deal with local authorities. Many habitats are under serious threat of environmental denigration, including pollution, and water quality is suffering as a result. There was a time when farmers were blamed for polluting the River Suir, but I suggest that local authorities now constitute the biggest polluters of the river. Is it right, in this day and age, that raw sewage is allowed to enter waterways in villages in my constituency? I refer to the River Suir because I live near it and know a little about it.

Trees have fallen into tributaries of the River Suir, such as the River Multeen. Cleansing and dredging work needs to be done. At a time when over 400,000 people are unemployed, there is huge potential in this area. Will it be possible for the new body to link up with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, or some other agency, to start work on our inland waterways? Deputies will be familiar with the results of the heavy flooding of recent months. It caused a great deal of trouble for local authorities and families throughout the country. I have spoken previously in this House about the potential for local authorities to get unemployed people to help to clean our rivers. Many such people would be glad of the work. We can create local employment by providing for a scheme whereby rivers and lakes are restored to their previous condition.

The Bill provides that two offices will remain open. I wonder what will happen to the headquarters of the Southern Regional Fisheries Board in Clonmel. I have made the case for the potential of south Tipperary. I suggest that the headquarters should be left open. I have already said I am perfectly in favour of what the Minister is doing. I would like to know what the future of the Clonmel office will be. Perhaps it could be used in support of what I am saying, for example as a sub-office that co-ordinates the potential that exists. The Minister should consider the potential of the office before a decision is made on whether to close or sell it. I suggest that my constituents in south Tipperary would be able to use the office to meet the great potential that exists in the locality.

I feel very strongly about the potential of this country's waterways. We have paid lip service to this natural resource over many years, but we have not looked after it. I remind the Minister of the need to rise to the challenge we face, which is to do more to improve our waterways, in the interests of those associated with the tourism and fishing industries, now and in the generations to come.

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