Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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1030. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the organisation responsible for the nomination of each of the current members appointed to the Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board (ALAB); the date on which they were nominated; the panel in which that organisation is included according to both section 23 of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997 and associated regulations; the date on which they were last appointed or reappointed by him to ALAB; if he will identify any panel in respect of which there is an outstanding appointment to ALAB; the date on which he requested nominations from each of the organisations in that panel; the associated organisations in that panel that have submitted nominations in respect of that panel and the date on which those nominations were received by him; if a decision has been made not to appoint those parties nominated; the reason no appointment has been made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13060/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The information requested by the Deputy in relation to board members of the Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board (ALAB) is set out in the table.

Board Vacancy

At present, there is one vacancy on the board of ALAB which is in the category covered by section 23 (3) (b) of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997. Section 23 (3) (b) sets out organisations which, in the Minister's opinion, are concerned with the conservation, development and protection of wild fisheries.  The vacancy arose due to a resignation of the Federation of Irish Fishermen representative. Statutory Instrument 621/2011 which sets out the prescribed bodies that may make nominations to the Minister in accordance with section 23 (3) (b) of the  Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997 specifies the following organisations: Angling Council of Ireland, Federation of Irish Fishermen and the Irish Fishermen's Organisation Ltd. I do not consider that this grouping of organisations adequately  represent  organisations which in my opinion are concerned with the conservation, development and protection of wild fisheries in so far as the Federation of Irish Fishermen is no longer active and the Irish Fishermen's Organisation Ltd is no longer an organisations that represents the fishing industry at national level.  I plan to review, consult and amend Statutory Instrument 621/2011 to ensure that the bodies prescribed are representative of national organisations that are concerned with the conservation, development and protection of wild fisheries.  As soon as the Statutory Instrument is amended, I will seek  nominations from the relevant prescribed bodies with a view to an appointment being made at the earliest opportunity.