Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

We will deal with the Bill before us. Bringing together the fisheries boards under one umbrella organisation will lead to greater efficiencies and a better, co-ordinated response in times of disaster, such as last year's floods, and in streamlining joined-up policy. In section 12, a multidisciplinary approach is taken to recruiting the membership of the board, who are nominated by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. I am also heartened to see the qualifications of those appointed are open to scrutiny by the relevant Oireachtas joint committee. This is an innovation. I am not sure why there is no tie-in with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources but no doubt the Minister of State will clarify the situation. The current boards have been served well by their membership. In respect of the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board, which covers the area I represent, I commend the appointees and the appointees of the staff associations, especially Mr. Seamus McDermott who served very well as an employee of the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board and as a member of the board. He has been extremely diligent, as has been Ms Chandler-Kennedy, the IFA representative.

The only criticism I have of the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board is that it introduced fees and is charging on certain rivers on the Shannon system while no such fees are demanded in nearby areas. The River Suck, River Inny, River Brosna, the Little Brosna River and the River Camlin are subject to charges. The charges are €37 annually, €11 for one day and €19 for 21 days. These charges are punitive, disproportionate and unwarranted and create distortions and obstacles for a community and a region trying to hold on to its tourism industry. There is inconsistency in this regard. One fisheries organisation charges and all others do not. I lived between the River Suck and the Derryhippo river. I regularly meet fishermen who must get these permits and it dissuades them from coming to our area. It is one of the great disadvantages to fishermen in our area who can travel to another River Shannon area where there is no charge. One advantage of having a single fisheries board is that it can decide whether to have a charge. I do not recommend these permits. All our rivers run free.

It was very difficult to be in government when introducing trout fishing licences in 1989. I remember visiting houses that had signs indicating that canvassers for Fianna Fáil were not welcome because of the permits issue. Some of those totally opposed to trout fishing licences became converts to the idea of these permits. It is interesting how matters change.

I raised this issue in November and so am pleased the matter will be tackled by the new national fisheries board. We were told licences were compulsory on the River Suck. German fishermen were told this and were told they could leave the Dunamon area and fish in another area. They decided to terminate their holiday and return to Germany and they have not been seen since. That is not what we want. We want to encourage those who fish to come here. Regarding the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board, the 2007 annual report of Central Fisheries Board states that in partnership with the local authorities and as part of the Fáilte Ireland national development plan angling initiative, a number of infrastructural improvements were completed across the region. Projects included car parking facilities in County Roscommon, an access road, a car park, and disabled angling stands in Westmeath. These were very welcome in a location near Dunamon Castle, which is the leisure centre connected to the Irish Wheelchair Association. The fisheries board created fishing stands that are particularly suited to those in wheelchairs and set up toilets and other facilities. I compliment the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board on this work. It possibly used some of the money raised through the permit system but nevertheless there should be a level playing pitch to encourage those who fish to come to the country. It is a great industry and is great for tourism. This will be a productive Bill and I wish the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Eamon Ryan, success in its passage.