Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)

): I am delighted to conclude the Second Stage debate in the Seanad and thank the Members of the House who contributed to the debate on the Bill and for their positive responses. I also thank the Senators for their agreement that this is an important Bill. Its main objective is to establish a single body, Inland Fisheries Ireland, which will be charged with the protection and conservation of our inland fisheries resource. One must remember that freshwater lakes cover approximately 2% of the area of the State. There are also in the region of 13,840 km of main channel rivers. These freshwater systems are inhabited by a variety of fish species, including game species such as salmon, sea and brown trout and course species such as pike and bream.

I will respond to some of the points raised by Senators during the course of this debate. Senator O'Reilly noted the cost savings which will result from the restructuring. The most visible and immediate savings will occur as a result of the reduction in administrative and associated costs of servicing eight separate boards and related board expenses which are estimated to be in the region of €300,000 per annum. In addition to financial savings, the new model will combine and thus ensure the better use of existing resources and deliver improved value for money management of the State's resource.

The McCarthy report identified the potential for savings of approximately €4 million from the restructuring. While the report does not set out a detailed regime for bringing about such savings, the new body will have a clear focus on efficiency and value for money from the outset. I draw the attention of Senators Walsh and McCarthy to the obligations contained in the Bill requiring the chief executive officer to be accountable for the economy and efficiency of the new body in its use of its resources.

On stakeholder input, I remind Senators O'Reilly and McCarthy that in recognition of the need for and value of stakeholder participation in the sector, provision has been made in section 7 for the establishment of a national inland fisheries forum. I see it as the vehicle by which local stakeholders will be facilitated to provide input to the work of Inland Fisheries Ireland. I assure Senator Ó Brolcháin that I expect the board of Inland Fisheries Ireland to establish effective communication channels to involve local interests and influence policies and how they are implemented at local level. The terms of reference for the forum are being drafted and an understanding has been given to circulate them to members of the Oireachtas committee as soon as they are available.

The Bill is an important measure in delivering new management structures for the inland fisheries resource. Inland fisheries management must be equipped for the challenges of the future at a time of public sector reform. The vision for Inland Fisheries Ireland is to have a lean, effective and efficient inland fisheries organisation, governed on a national basis with a strong and responsive local presence. I want to ensure the inland fisheries resource is safeguarded in the face of the significant challenges ahead. Inland Fisheries Ireland can deliver that.

I reiterate my appreciation for all those who have served on the existing boards for their dedication and commitment to our national resource and our shared interest for the successful future of the sector. I welcome the constructive manner in which this Second Stage debate has been approached and thank all Senators for their contributions.