51 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the annual accounts for 2008 of the Central Fisheries Board have been published and laid before Dáil Éireann; if not, the reason for the delay; the timeframe for publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23030/10]

Under Section 14 (1) of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1999, the Central Fisheries Board is obliged to submit draft annual accounts to the Comptroller & Auditor General (C&AG).

As soon as may be but not later than one month after an audit by the C&AG, the Board is then obliged to submit to the Department a copy of its annual accounts, together with the C&AG's report.

The Central Fisheries Board awaits the signed off final accounts and report from the C&AG. Upon my receipt of same and following approval by Government, I will lay copies of both the accounts and the report before each House of the Oireachtas in accordance with Section 14 of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 1999.