Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

I assure the Deputy that Deputy Tom Hayes will not be disappointed because there is no threat to the Clonmel office. It is important this new body remains anchored in the river basins and other localities for which it is responsible. We are mindful of the need to avoid creating another beast which bestrides the resource but does little.

Deputy Nolan spoke about the need to put local anglers at the forefront. Deputy Browne indicated his opposition to the centralising route we are taking. I assure him that we will not allow all power to congregate at the centre.

I was most impressed by Deputy Bannon, who spoke expertly about the river resources in his own county. He was perhaps the most knowledgeable and insightful of the contributors on Second Stage of the Bill.

Deputy Kelly tried to entice my constituency colleague, Deputy O'Connor, to take a trip down the Royal Canal from Tallaght to its terminal at Clondra, County Longford. I am sorry to disappoint Deputy Kelly but we cannot send Deputy O'Connor along the Royal Canal because it does not flow through Tallaght. The Grand Canal is the waterway which flows nearest to Deputy O'Connor. If I could put him on a barge I would do so tomorrow but, unfortunately, he is not keen on leaving his Tallaght base for fishing trips or canal journeys.

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