Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 106: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the way he will maintain a strong regional structure in the management of the regions with regard to proposals to absorb the regional fisheries boards into a central board; the way the reporting structures to the central board will function in practice; if he will provide delegated powers to regional staff; the cost savings of this proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37473/08]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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As part of the overall process of agency rationalisation that the Minister for Finance announced in this year's budget, a new national inland fisheries body will be established, which will replace the eight existing regional fisheries boards and the Central Fisheries Board. Amending legislation will be required to give effect to the decision. I have established a small group, chaired by my Department with representation on behalf of the existing boards, to guide the implementation of this decision.

While I do not intend to pre-empt the work of the implementation group, I am confident an effective system can be put in place under the auspices of the new body, which will ensure the important work relating to the inland fishery resource will be implemented efficiently.

It is clearly in the nature of inland fisheries work that the new body should be organised with a strong regional presence. The relationship between the new body and its regional offices will be determined in due course by the body itself.

With regard to cost savings, the most visible and immediate savings will occur as a result of the reduction in costs of servicing eight separate boards and associated board expenses that are estimated to be in the region of €300,000 per annum.

In addition to financial savings, the new model will consolidate and thus ensure the better use of existing resources and deliver improved value for money management of the State's resource.

I have set a deadline of end August 2009 for vesting day of the new body. The existing structures will remain in place until then.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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I thank the Minister of State for his reply. Perhaps he is not aware that, in 2006, the Minister sitting beside him, Deputy Eamon Ryan, described the postponement of elections to regional fisheries boards as "a cowardly act" by the then Government and "a serious indictment of Government policy". Here we are again, in 2008, facing yet further delays in elections to boards and prevarication on any new structures. With all due respect, the Minister of State has not enlightened us on the future of fishery board structures. When he refers to "strong regional structures" what is he talking about? How exactly are these to be developed between policy and management? At the moment, there is a large infrastructure in place. The Minister of State has said he wants stronger regional input, but there is no indication how that will be done. He should clarify that matter.

As regards cost savings, how will the Minister of State avoid the route involved in establishing the HSE? The HSE was supposed to do all these wonderful things the Minister of State says will occur in the fisheries sector, including saving money, but it proved to be extraordinarily costly. What will the Minister of State do that is different? Unless he can tell us, we must presume that he has not learned anything in government and that he will simply make the same mistakes as in the past.

I welcome the fact the Minister of State has now decided that decentralisation is off the agenda, presumably, for the future. I understand, however, that the leasing costs on the premises in Swords amount to something like €1 million a year. What is the Minister of State doing to get value for money in citing this new authority? How will he save money in doing so?

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for her support for the measure that was announced here on budget day.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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I must have missed something here.

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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The establishment of a new national inland fisheries body will subsume the existing central and regional fisheries boards, thereby reducing the number of boards from eight to one. In addition, the number of board members will be reduced from around 160 at the moment to ten or even fewer. That in itself is a welcome development. We are in the process of putting together an implementation group comprising officials from the Central Fisheries Board and regional fisheries boards, which will be chaired by the Department. Shortly after the announcement on budget day, the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, and I, along with our officials, met with CEOs from the various fisheries boards. We explained to them the decision that had been made by the Government. I appreciate what the Deputy said about the history involved and the difficulties people may have in accepting what we are doing. We are living in changed times, however, and people realise that rationalisation must take place. The meeting we had was constructive and we look forward to the support of the various boards in implementing that decision.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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What is the make-up of this implementation group? Last month, there was an advertisement for the CEO of the Northern Regional Fisheries Board, which seems peculiar if the Minister of State is trying to centralise those boards. Will that post be filled?

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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The implementation group is being established and will comprise of two officials from the Central Fisheries Board, two officials from the Regional Fisheries Board and it will be chaired by my Department.

The Deputy asked a question about the expenses. Savings estimated at approximately €300,000 per annum will be afforded by reduced board membership. The new organisation will consolidate and ensure better use of the existing resources and there may be greater opportunities for efficiencies in the sector and also a more streamlined management of the State's resources.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Is the Minister of State filling the post for the normal regional boards?

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy said, that post was advertised and the matter is progressing.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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So the post will be filled.

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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I am not saying that. To the best of my knowledge the advertisement was placed in the newspapers before the announcement was made on budget day and that matter is being considered.