Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 674: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the changes envisaged in relation to fishing catchment areas, which will arise as a result of the proposed abolition of the regional fisheries authorities; the impact this will have on the regional fishery boards here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2382/06]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Government has decided that a fundamental restructuring of the inland fisheries sector would result in a better model for the State's role in the sector, better resource management, more and better involvement of stakeholders, better corporate governance and value for money. The existing fishery catchment areas, which are based on river systems, however, will be unaffected by the proposed restructuring of the regional fisheries boards.

It is proposed, in the future, to align the management of inland fisheries with the river basin districts specified in the water framework directive. The regional advisory boards, which will succeed the current regional fisheries boards, will be based on the existing regional structures initially but will be realigned with the river basin districts in the future.