asked the Minister for Fisheries the action he intends to take in regard to proposals from Balscadden Fishing Co-operative for the medium term development of Howth Harbour as a fishing port; and, in particular, whether he intends to have the necessary hydrographic tests carried out without delay.

A plan for the development of Howth Harbour as a fishery harbour centre has been drawn up and I will be meeting representatives of the Balscadden Bay Fishermen's Co-operative Society very soon to discuss the future development of the harbour with them. All necessary tests and surveys have already been carried out through the agency of the Office of Public Works.

Would the Parliamentary Secretary repeat the first sentence?

A plan for the development of Howth Harbour as a fishery harbour centre has been drawn up and I will be meeting representatives of the Balscadden Bay Fishermen's Co-operative Society very soon to discuss the future development of the harbour with them. All the necessary tests and surveys have already been carried out through the agency of the Office of Public Works.

When the Parliamentary Secretary says that a plan was being drawn up, does that mean a plan has been drawn up by the Office of Public Works?

Yes.

Would the Parliamentary Secretary indicate why if that is so, the Office of Public Works have refused to disclose any details and have even refused to disclose the fact that they have a plan?

The development has been prepared by this Department in consultation with the Office of Public Works who have carried out all the necessary tests and surveys. All such surveying has been completed and it is the Minister's intention to meet the representatives of the Balscadden Bay Fishermen's Co-operative Society to discuss the position with them. That is in accordance with the request the fishermen made. It is also the intention of departmental officials to meet members of the society because they have requested that they be consulted about any plans for the development of the harbour. It was in view of their representations that we consulted about the plans before work commenced that both meetings did take place, one with the Minister and one with the Department officials.

Could the Parliamentary Secretary say whether the tests carried out included hydrographic tests?

Yes, the tests carried out, according to my information, were all comprehensively made.

Did they include hydrographic tests?

To my information that is so.

They did?

They did, and the tests carried out would be the subject matter of discussions.

May we take it that the details of the proposed plan will be made public and will be subject to representation by the various interested parties?

Certainly.

Could the Parliamentary Secretary finally indicate approximately when the details will be made public?

As I indicated in my reply, the Minister has in mind to meet the society in the not too distant future and a meeting has been arranged between the society and the departmental officials and it is reasonable to assume that the details will be made available at such meetings.