Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire go dtí an tSeanaid agus gabhaim leithscéal leis mar go raibh sé ag feitheamh ar feadh tamaill, uair go leith nó mar sin ag tús na díospóireachta. The reason for this is the Opposition's concern, despite all the challenges and difficulties facing us economically and agriculturally in the food industry, in regard to whether there will be an Order of Business in the Seanad on Friday, which shows where people's priorities lie. The public have a right to expect a little better from Members of this House than, perhaps, they have received today. This applies also in respect of the Minister, whom I know is busy and has other priorities to attend to.

This issue has been before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources on a number of occasions for deferral. The Minister in his speech acknowledged the independent review of the inlands fisheries sector in 2005 which recommended significant restructuring in the sector. It is important we have an effective and dynamic organisation. Inland fisheries is an important part of our regional and national tourist industry. Anything that adds to the improvement and efficiencies within that area is highly desirable. The proposal is to have a national authority and the Minister stated he is committed to maintaining a strong regional input into that.

It is important to acknowledge, in the overall context of what has happened to many organisations established by the State in recent decades, that rationalisation in this area is long overdue. It has come about at this time as a result of our fiscal position. The Minister stated that the number of State bodies in this area has been reduced by 41. Obviously, there is a need for significant savings in public sector expenditure not alone in areas of activity but in areas where waste has built up. This will involve a reduction in staff numbers and, in my opinion, a reduction in salaries. Whatever is done in this regard needs to be done urgently and it will have the support of everybody in the House who has concerns in regard to our economic well-being. While many bodies are being rationalised this does not necessarily mean there will be a reduction in staff numbers or costs. Staff are to be transferred to other areas, an issue which needs to be examined. However, that matter is removed from this issue which relates to the deferral for 12 months of an election due on 16 December.

As the Minister stated today, and Minister of State, Deputy Seán Power, pointed out to the committee last week, there is not available any other mechanism to the tabling of this motion in respect of a deferral. This will allow, in the interim, the implementation body to bring forth its findings which, it is hoped, will enable the Minister to put in place a new structure by August 2009. This will entail the introduction of amending legislation which will be debated in the Houses.

It is important, given this matter has been ongoing for some years, that every effort is made to ensure this matter is brought to a conclusion and that we do not, as stated by Senator O'Reilly, find ourselves in 12 months' time seeking another deferral because we have not met the targeted date. I support the motion as I accept the necessity for it. I wish the Minister well in respect of the establishment of the new body which will, it is hoped, apart from promoting inland fisheries and ensuring its effectiveness and success, ensure we obtain value for money, which is very much part of the ethos we need to inject into all activities. This will become more apparent to all of us as we move through 2009 and 2010.