Ireland’s leading maritime newspaper covering the Coastal, Fishing and Maritime Communities

MARINE TIMES NEWS February 20th:
Minister Dooley must take decisive action on appointment of Inland Fisheries Ireland CEO

Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, Sinn Féin TD John Brady, has urged Minister Timmy Dooley to take decisive action on the appointment of a new CEO of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), after receiving correspondence from the department and a reply to a parliamentary question that confirmed the recruitment process has been completed for more than a month, but no appointment has yet been made.

Teachta Brady said: “The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has repeatedly identified serious weaknesses in governance, internal controls and value for money at IFI.

“The organisation’s appearance before PAC in December was verging on shambolic and certainly did not inspire confidence in its ability to function effectively as an organisation.

“So concerned by the seriousness of the issues at IFI, PAC took the decision to invite them back for a further hearing in March.

“Given the scale of these problems, quick and decisive action is also required from Minister Dooley.

“While the appointment of a new CEO is an operational matter for the board of IFI, the necessary approvals rest with the Minister.

“Considering the current board have repeatedly demonstrated that they are not functioning effectively, this cannot simply be a rubber-stamping exercise of a discredited board’s preferred candidate by the Minister.

“This cannot be an internal appointment designed to maintain the status quo, this appointment must mark a step change for culture of the organisation.

“The Minister must take personal responsibility for this appointment, move quickly and ensure that the individual selected is capable of restoring confidence, implementing reform and ensuring proper governance and oversight.

“The Government has also committed to an external review of the IFI, but they have said this can’t proceed until a new CEO is in post – yet another reason to move quickly.

“The importance of a functioning IFI that protects, conserves and develops Ireland’s inland fisheries was made crystal clear this week with the publication of an independent report examining the State's response to the fish kill incident that occurred on the Blackwater in August 2025, the largest recorded fish kill incident in Ireland.

“The Minister must act now.”

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In our February edition -

Once Lost Inshore Fleet Cannot Be Easily Rebuilt - NIFA warns of dangers ahead and calls for a major plan for inshore fisheries; The Aquaculture Licensing Scandal; The human dimension of a mackerel season that is at the crossroads – Blink and you might miss it; Fisheries must not be left on the sideline in development of MPAs, as has happened previously; the industry is in the worst place it has ever been ....

.... all of this plus so much more in our February issue

Puchase a single issue download from this link for just €2 - Order here

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