asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if the Draft Net Order 1979 for County Kerry will be amended to alleviate the distress caused to fishermen.

I presume the Deputy is referring to the Salmon and Trout Conservation Bye-law No. 606, 1978, which came into operation on 1 January 1979. Under the bye-law important additional measures were introduced for the conservation of salmon stocks in all of our sea and inland waters. The need for the bye-law arises from the steady decline in salmon stocks in recent years. As this situation still exists I do not propose to amend the bye-law during 1979 in respect of any particular locality.

Did the Minister not meet a deputation before the recent election and promise them he would seriously consider amending the bye-laws?

That is still being considered.

The election is over and so is the promise.

Election results were——

I have said I am considering it.

I hope the Minister makes better progress than he did in Donegal.