asked the Minister for Agriculture if he has received a memorandum from the Cromane and Gurrane mussel suppliers; and, if so, whether he is prepared to act on the recommendations contained therein.

I have received the memorandum referred to. Representatives of the committee of management of the Sea Fisheries Association have had a meeting with the mussel fishermen of Cromane and Gurrane. As a result, it is being arranged that representatives of the fishermen and of the association will visit the mussel purification station at Conway, North Wales, to ascertain whether the system in operation at Conway whereby the mussels are treated on a fee basis would be feasible at the Cromane station and to the advantage of the fishermen.

How many mussels are supplied by Deputy Timoney's constituency in South Tipperary?

It is quite irrelevant.

I forbear from making so sensitive a Deputy a sharp reply.