The Government is to establish an inter-departmental group to review the inland fisheries sector and report on the operation of the Salmon Hardship Scheme following the abolition of drift netting.
The announcement was made as responsibility for the fishing industry was transferred to the Department of Agriculture to become the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
The new Department gets responsibility for sea fisheries, aquaculture, marine research, marine engineering and pier and harbour development other than commercial and island harbours
It will also take over responsibility for Bord Iascaigh Mhara, the Marine Institute and the Sea Fisheries Protection Agency.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Mary Coughlan, said she understood the fishing industry and would ensure that there would be new fresh, thinking brought to its development.
Previously fisheries were under the control of Minister Noel Dempsey, with whom industry leaders had differed sharply.
