Mary White (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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Question 201: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the way €1.5 million in central government funding for the River Barrow has been spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8434/10]

Mary White (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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Question 202: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the way the new fisheries body, inland fisheries Ireland, will impact on the River Barrow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8435/10]

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 201 and 202 together.

As the Deputy is aware the Inland Fisheries Bill 2009 is currently before the House. This Bill provides for the restructuring of the management of the inland fisheries sector, including the establishment of Inland Fisheries Ireland, a single authority which will replace the existing Central Fisheries Board and seven Regional Fisheries Boards. Given the nature of its work the new body will of course continue to have a strong regional presence and manage each river catchment according to best practice. Provision has been made in the Bill for the establishment of a national inland fisheries forum. It is envisaged that this will facilitate input by local stakeholders into the work of Inland Fisheries Ireland. I also expect Inland Fisheries Ireland to establish effective communication channels to give local interests an opportunity to influence policies and how they are implemented at a local level.

I understand that the €1.5m referred to by the Deputy was that recommended for the river Barrow in a 1998 Salmon Management Report. Expenditure on individual rivers is a matter for the relevant Regional Fisheries Board. I understand that a total of €12.1m in Exchequer funding was allocated to the Southern Regional Fisheries Board from 2004-2008, however, expenditure is not available on an individual river basis. I am informed by the Board that 8 of its fishery officers are dedicated to working on the river Barrow.