John Dardis (Progressive Democrats)

Many politicians who have suffered grievously were never responsible for anything in law or did anything illegal, but because there was a whiff that something wrong had happened, they had to go. This same standard applies in this particular circumstance and in other similar circumstances.

There is an onerous responsibility to ensure that the environment is protected. This responsibility falls primarily to the monitoring Department, which is responsible for ensuring that the licensing requirements are met, the procedures are correct and things are done properly. In the event that they are not done properly, the same standard that applied in agriculture in the case of hormones should apply. One should be closed down if one uses materials that are totally inimical to the environment. The standard that applies in agriculture is very rigorous. Farmers can lose their herd numbers and have to stop trading. This had happened and it is hugely difficult for the people that suffer as a result. However, that is the standard that must apply to ensure that the environment is protected and that the consumer gets the quality of food to which he or she is entitled.

I commend the work done by the Central Fisheries Board and particularly by the chief executive, Mr. John O'Connor. I echo the point made by Senator Finucane. I can accept that laboratory analysis can be done almost anywhere, but I do not accept that the biological research and development which is essential to the development of the game fishing sector can be done anywhere. My appeal to the Minister is that this part of the Central Fisheries Board and the regional fisheries boards should be maintained within the ambit of the boards and not lost outside because a hugely important issue is involved.

Game fishing is an example of where the State can do things very well. The Errif in Mayo, the Kerry Blackwater, the Galway weir, the ridgepool in the Moy and several others of that nature are managed extremely well by very competent and professional staff. They are a pleasure to visit. I stayed in Ashleigh Lodge this year, at Leenane, where Mr. Jim Stafford and his wife are doing a superb job. This facility was created and is maintained by the State. It is highly commercial and is generating revenue for the State. There is a message in that for us.

The Indecon report, a socio-economic evaluation of wild salmon in Ireland, was commissioned for the Central Fisheries Board and it is a very good report. The Minister is familiar with it and there have been consultation meetings around the country where the various stakeholders have made their cases.