asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if he will indicate how the sum of £300,000 was spent in 1980 on surveying in the Celtic Sea; and if he will give a breakdown of who received this money.

The total amount spent on hireage of boats for surveys carried out in the Celtic Sea in 1980 was £80,475, and the following is a break-down of how that amount was spent:

It is not the practice to give details of individual payments to skippers.

What area of the Celtic Sea is covered by this survey and, finally, have we obtained any supplementary grant from the EEC towards this survey?

I do not have information regarding the exact areas covered as it is not contained in this question. What was the second part of the question, please?

Have the EEC given us a grant towards this survey?

Yes, I think there is a submission from the EEC towards the survey.

How much?

It does not say.

In relation to the survey itself, what are the results of the survey and will they be published?

This is an ongoing situation. The results of the survey have not yet been compiled. We are talking about 1980 and it will obviously take some time. The only question that arises concerns the figures mentioned in the question. We are not sure where the Deputy got them. Perhaps there is something omitted from them.

Decisions must be taken now in relation to the Celtic Sea or may have been taken in Brussels. The results of these surveys are vital to whatever decision the Minister has to take. If the results are not to hand the Minister will not be able to take a decision on the future of the Celtic Sea for 1981.

As far as I am aware, no decisions have been taken concerning this survey.

A final supplementary from Deputy Begley.

Would the Minister please tell the House who carried out those surveys?

I have stated that.

The Minister has not stated that in his reply.

It was for the hireage of boats.

Was it the Department of Defence?

No.

Is it just for the shots?

Question No. 6 has been withdrawn.