asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if he will give details of the facilities available for fishery research under the aegis of his Department.

: The research facilities under the control of my Department include a modern, fully-equipped fisheries research laboratory, together with a number of smaller, strategically sited field stations. The laboratory and field stations are staffed by qualified fishery scientists and technicians. Pending the acquisition of a new fisheries research vessel fishing boats are hired, as required, for the purpose of carrying out surveys at sea.

My Department also participates in national and international research projects in our waters and through the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea has access to the research results of other countries.

: Can the Minister tell us the amount of money spent on research last year?

: In 1982 projects on the Celtic Sea—herring larvel survey ongoing costing £36,000; Mulroy Bay research £800; young herring survey, Irish Sea, £9,000; EEC shellfish directive survey £105; nephrops survey, £11,000; herring survey north west coast £49,500; plaice survey £4,000; oyster research £500.