Have the Minister and his Department got any information on which they could form an opinion as to what proportion of the private fisheries envisaged by the Minister for acquisition will have to be acquired compulsorily as distinct from by agreement?

That is very hypothetical. This matter will have to be proceeded with on an ad hoc basis. The legislation will be enabling legislation and then, as the proper fisheries come along, I envisage the Minister moving in and acquiring them, hopefully on a voluntary basis in most cases. This is not a matter one can plan as if one were sitting at a chessboard or something like that.

Of course not, but one does not give oneself power to do such things unless one can do them. Has the Minister any idea as to what proportion of the existing private fisheries will require him to exercise compulsory powers of acquisition?

I have certain ideas and Deputy Killilea was intelligent enough to refer to one of them.

He was probably told to do it.

Deputy Killilea referred to the Corrib salmon fisheries and the whole system of western lakes offers us a unique opportunity for rational and balanced development of inland fisheries of all kinds—salmon, sea trout and brown trout.

Has the Minister formed even a rough idea as to how much money will be involved in this acquisition, whether by agreement or by compulsion?

That is a question I could not answer at this stage.

The Minister is proposing to expend the people's money——

We can have all that out on the legislation. The Deputy's Government slept on the legislation for five years.

That is not true.