Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

I did not intend to speak on this legislation but listening to contributions of my colleagues on both sides of the House, I wish to support most of what I have heard. I wish the Minister well in the passage of this legislation in the Seanad and I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy White, to the House.

I listened with interest to the comments of the previous speaker. I recall the division in the country in 1988 and 1989 when rod licences hit the political trail. The Minister at the time was Brendan Daly and it seemed innocuous legislation but caused major political turmoil and division across communities. I am sure we will not have such difficulty on this occasion but any time since 1989 that we have dealt with legislation governing inland fisheries, angling and fishermen, we reflect on the division of 1988 and 1989.

The legislation is welcome and the concept of a single authority or agency taking control and slimming down the structures in place is the realistic and difficult policy we must enact if we are to turn around the fortunes of this country. The saving from the rationalisation process will not be significant. A figure of €300,000 or €400,000 was mentioned. Across all Departments and a plethora of State boards and bodies there must be a level of investigation leading to amalgamation and an end to the quango system, even though it is difficult for all of us. I am a Member of these Houses long enough to know that all political parties appoint people to boards and agencies when they have the opportunity to do so, but we are now in a new political dispensation and we must streamline and slim down the functions of the State and Government agencies in so far as we can. It is to be hoped this agency, Inland Fisheries Ireland, can take charge of the work and the role previously undertaken by various fisheries boards. It is fair to say the vast majority of people who served on these boards did their absolute best to conduct business in an effective fashion. However, given Ireland's sad new economic state we need to rationalise where we can and this legislation is a positive step in this regard.

The role of the new agency is significant. It will have responsibility for and charge of angling in particular, which is a major task. It is often forgotten that angling rather than football, rugby, hurling, soccer or equine activities is the most popular past-time not alone across this country or the Continent but worldwide. My colleague Senator Phelan has just asked me how I know this. I know this from experience. There exists a huge opportunity for us to develop further the angling industry here which as stated by Senator Brady could lead to a major increase in tourism numbers. We heard earlier from Senator McCarthy figures in regard to the number of jobs that could stem from fisheries, in particular inland fisheries.

The entire package with which this legislation deals is significant. This will not be the most important legislation enacted in the Oireachtas this month or even this year but it is significant and can play its part in developing our angling industry to the maximum possible degree, building on our tourism numbers and improving our waterways and environment. The Bill deals with an interesting combination of matters. I speak not as an expert but as a lay person.

I wish the Minister of State, Deputy Mary White, and her colleague, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Ryan, well in having this legislation enacted. I believe it is the correct response to the situation. It is hoped the Minister will respond favourably to the proposed amendments from Senator O'Reilly and this side of the House.