asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if Danish trawlers are fishing for mackerel among the stocks off the north-west coast of Donegal; and the efforts being made to deal with the situation.

Despite thorough surveillance by the Naval Service and the Air Corps no sightings of Danish vessels fishing off Donegal have been made.

Is the Minister aware that allegations have been made that substantial quantities of mackerel in the north west stocks off Donegal have been taken? It was suggested that last year the figure was 20,000 tons. Is it possible to ascertain if that is the case and, if so, is it possible to avoid a similar situation developing once again?