asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the plans, if any, he has for the conservation of herring in the Celtic Sea.

The question of the conservation of herring stocks in the Celtic Sea area is at present being examined by the countries which fish in that area, including Ireland, under the auspices of the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission. Arising out of this examination and consultations which I am having with the Irish fishermen concerned, I hope to be in a position to indicate in due course the conservation measures to be applied in the area.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary give us any indication of the terms of reference of this conference?

The conference is dealing with the necessity for conservation of herring stocks.

I have asked for the terms of reference. Are we to take it that a newspaper report is correct to the effect that the only terms of reference are that herring would be on a tonnage basis with quotas for each country?

The matter has not been finalised. I had a meeting with the fishermen here in Dublin in September and I hope to hold a further meeting this month. As it will be in the Deputy's constituency I will invite him along.

The big problem will be the discussions with other countries. What are the terms of reference? According to Press reports, two officials from the Department have been sent and the only terms of reference mentioned in the newspapers was that it will be on a quota basis— so many tons for each country.

The matter has not been finalised.

Are they the only instructions our officials received when they left for the conference?

They have been fully instructed.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary say what their instructions are?

To do the best they can for the Irish fishermen and I am quite confident they will do just that.