Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 332: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if the nominee of the Trout Anglers Federation of Ireland, which has a membership of more than 20,000 trout and salmon anglers, will be appointed to a place on the National Salmon Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30024/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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In exercise of the powers conferred on me by section 55A — inserted by section 22(1) of the Fisheries Act 1999 — of the Fisheries Act 1980, I included 34 organisations in the National Salmon Commission (Prescribed Bodies and Organisation) Order 2005, SI 626 of 2005, which I signed on 28 September 2005. The Trout Anglers Federation of Ireland is one of these organisations.

The Fisheries Acts, however, provide that not more than 16 members of the commission shall be appointed from among those nominated by the representative bodies and organisations prescribed by the Minister. As such, inclusion on the prescribed list does not convey an automatic right for any particular body or organisation to have its nominee appointed to the commission.

The number of bodies and organisations seeking to have representation on the National Salmon Commission this year was far in excess of the number of places available, and, as a result, it was not possible to appoint all nominees. However, the membership I have chosen will ensure that all relevant stakeholders, including salmon and trout anglers, are equally and fairly represented at the commission. The commission has the function of assisting and advising me in regard to the conservation, management, protection and development of the national salmon resource in accordance with the detailed terms of reference set out in the National Salmon Commission (Terms Of Reference) Order 2005, SI 627 of 2005.

Although the Trout Anglers Federation of Ireland had a nominee appointed to the previous National Salmon Commission, due to the restriction on the number of membership places available, I was unable to appoint its nominee as a member of the new commission. However, the terms of reference for the new National Salmon Commission provide that it will consult and engage as appropriate in a proactive dialogue with the Trout Anglers Federation of Ireland and all the other prescribed bodies and organisations listed in the 2005 order.

I am satisfied that through these terms of reference, all the prescribed bodies and organisations will have the opportunity to have their interest recognised and that any proposals they may have having regard to the conservation, management, protection and development of the national salmon resource will be fully considered and evaluated by the National Salmon Commission during its current term of office.