Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 75: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he plans to increase the enforcement capacity of the fisheries boards to combat the growing problem of poaching; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15413/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Under the Fisheries Acts, primary responsibility for the management, conservation, protection and development of inland fisheries stocks rests with the Central and Regional Fisheries Boards. A considerable proportion of fisheries boards' resources and personnel time is devoted to the protection of fish stocks. I am not aware of any recent increase in poaching and no such increase has been reported to me. Funding of €35 million has been allocated in my Department's vote for 2008, for Inland Fisheries, including over €31 million for the operations and activities of the Fisheries Boards, including stock protection and enforcement efforts of the Boards. Furthermore, as in 2007, the Inland Fisheries allocation included additional funding this year, to cover enhanced protection and enforcement activities being undertaken by the Boards, while the new salmon management regime is introduced following cessation of the mixed stock fishery.