asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if he is satisfied that adequate steps are being taken by his Department to monitor the stocks of mackerel off the north west coast of Donegal.

: I am satisfied that adequate steps are being taken by my Department to monitor the stocks of mackerel off the north west coast of Donegal. This stock forms part of what is known as the western mackerel stock which is widely distributed over the north east Atlantic Ocean. Under the aegis of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea officials of my Department participate with officials of other interested States in monitoring the stock as a whole.

: Is the Minister fully satisfied that the steps being taken are adequate to ensure that only the total allowable catch is being taken from that area and to ensure that this fishery will be sustained?

: The stock as a whole is monitored, as I said, by ICES, of which Ireland is a member. My Department's scientists participate in the activities of ICES. In relation to the western mackerel stock our involvement consists of being members of the international working group for providing basic data concerning the status of western mackerel stock from year to year to ICES and being members of the EEC Commission Scientific and Technical Committee. All those will indicate to the Deputy our involvement in the monitoring aspect of this particular species of fish in this location. I accept that there are ways and means of establishing what volume of fish are being caught.

: I do not question the Irish involvement within the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea. Is the Minister satisfied that proper statistics are being made available by the other countries?

: I am because we are not dependent on individual countries. This is an international council which oversees the monitoring. We depend on the accuracy of what other countries provide.

: What volume of stock has been taken this season in the north west? What information has been sent by the Irish authorities to ICES?

: I have not that information. All I have is the TAC for the area. ICES have recommended a total allowable catch of 330,000 tonnes for the current year compared with a TAC of 375,000 tonnes for 1982 which indicates the concern of ICES in relation to the dropping of the stock in that area.

: Is the Minister aware——

: No, we are moving on. Question No. 7.