Ned O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 924: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will allocate funding to a town council (details supplied) in County Cork in order to carry out a feasibility study. [11860/09]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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At a meeting with councillors in December 2008, I agreed that the Fermoy Town Council would obtain, as a matter of urgency, professional advice on the existing proposals for modification of the Fermoy weir and identify any alternatives designed to achieve the agreed objectives of removal of the barrier to fish passage and retention of the amenity for the rowing club and other users. The Department has agreed to provide a contribution through the Southern Regional Fisheries Board towards the cost of the report.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 925: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will reconsider a proposal (details supplied). [12077/09]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Following on from the 2009 Budget Day announcement on 14th October 2008 of the overall rationalisation of State agencies, the Government has now formally approved proposals for the restructuring of the inland fisheries sector, which include the creation of a single strengthened national inland fisheries authority to be known as Inland Fisheries Ireland. This authority will replace the existing Central and seven regional fisheries boards.

Given the nature of inland fisheries, it is clear that the new authority should be organised with a strong regional presence, which will be aligned on the boundaries of the River Basin Districts. There are 6 River Basin Districts with one district for the area covered by the existing Western and North Western Regional Fisheries Boards. Accordingly, alignment with the River Basin Districts will require that the area is administered and reported on as one entity.

This is settled Government policy and the Department is working towards its implementation. However, the question of the retention of offices in both Galway and Ballina is to be considered further as the legislation providing for the new structures is progressed.