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The Minister for Natural Resources, Mr. Conor Lenihan TD
has published the Inland Fisheries Bill 2009.
Following on from the Government’s approval of proposals
for the restructuring of the inland fisheries sector, this
Bill sets out the statutory basis for the establishment of
Inland Fisheries Ireland. This is the new national inland
fisheries body which will subsume the existing Central Board
and the seven Regional Fisheries Boards, as well as the governance
provisions by which it will be bound.
In announcing the publication of the Inland Fisheries Bill,
the Minister confirmed that, in recognition of the scale and
variety of activities and the location and number of staff
across the North Western and Western Fisheries Regions, the
Government has agreed - for an initial period at least - to
the retention of offices in both Ballina and Galway.
Minister Lenihan said - “it is expected that the new structures
will be in place by next Spring, following the passage of
the legislation through the Oireachtas to enactment. The restructuring
is necessary to ensure that our inland fisheries sector thrives
and reaches its full potential and will bring about a better
use of existing resources and deliver improved value for money.
"I look forward to working with all stakeholders as
we enter this new era for the management of the sector. Dr.
Ciaran Byrne has been appointed as CEO designate of Inland
Fisheries Ireland and will lead, what I am sure will be a
smooth transition to the new structures.”
The Bill consolidates and restates various provisions of
existing fisheries legislation dealing with administrative
and legal matters concerning inland fisheries. The Bill also
updates monetary penalties applicable for offences under the
existing fisheries legislation to bring them in line with
current values.
To download a copy of the Bill - along with an Explanatory
and Financial Memorandum - Click
Here
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