Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)

We are approaching 2009 and the review was set in train in 2005. It was carried out a long time ago at any rate. This is the second or third year that elections to the boards have been postponed.

The Minister told us that a review was carried out in 2008 and that the Department of Finance indicated in July that it was changing route. This Department must not have had much work done on whatever new structures were to be put in place for inland fisheries. It appears that the regional fisheries boards and the Central Fisheries Board will be placed under the remit of some other semi-State body or some other board. It would be disastrous if they were to be placed under the remit of some other board, given that there does not appear to be any Government commitment in regard to their development. I hope that the Minister, on behalf of the Government, when replying, will state that there is commitment to the development of inland fisheries and to the work of the Central Fisheries Board and the regional fisheries boards, which are doing tremendous work.

It is obvious from what the Minister said that, with the striking out of 41 boards, he will bring the Central Fisheries Boards and regional fisheries boards under the remit of some other semi-State board or some other board. That would be a retrograde step. The inland fisheries bodies should stand on their own. The boards have done great work over the years and that substantial industry is undervalued. It should work more closely with the tourist board. There is no doubt there is great scope for improvement there. The sooner the Minister brings this matter to a head and finalises it, the better. As Senator Boyle said, I hope that another year will not pass before elections to the boards are held or a new system is put in place.