Brian O'Shea
Ceist:128 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the proposals he has to reduce the number of fisheries boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26035/03]
Vol. 573 No. 5
128 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the proposals he has to reduce the number of fisheries boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26035/03]
I have no proposals at present to reduce the number of fisheries boards. The Deputy will no doubt be aware, however, that the report of the independent Estimates review committee to the Minister for Finance indicated in respect of the fisheries boards that "there would seem to be scope for rationalising the existing structures of the central and regional fisheries boards" and questioned "whether the existing arrangements represent the most efficient means by which the functions in question can be discharged".
My Department recently sought tenders from suitably qualified consultants to undertake a review of the inland fisheries sector in Ireland. These tenders are currently being assessed and I expect to announce a decision shortly on the consultants chosen to undertake this task.
I intend that this review would not just look at the central and regional fisheries boards but would be a root and branch examination of my Department's and the Government's involvement in the governance of the sector as well as the involvement of other State agencies including the Marine Institute, BIM, the ESB, Dúchas, the EPA and Fáilte Ireland.