asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if he proposes to introduce legislation for the control and management of the inshore and coastal fisheries in line with the Irish Federation of Sea Anglers document entitled Proposals for the future development of Sea Angling in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

13.

asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if he will implement as a matter of urgency the necessary legislation for the control and management of the inland and coastal fisheries in line with the Irish Federation of Sea Anglers document entitled Proposals for the further Development of Sea Angling in Ireland.

: I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 13 together.

My Department have for some time been considering the introduction of a zoning arrangement in respect of our inshore waters but it has not been possible so far to find a sufficient degree of agreement for an arrangement whereby each category of fishermen would enjoy an equitable share of access to available resources of fish.

In the circumstances I am not prepared, at this juncture, to consider the introduction of legislation on the lines proposed which would be very difficult to enforce.

: Will the Minister ensure that when his Department are deciding on arrangements regarding the various zones they will consult with fishermen throughout the country?

: That has been part of the problem. I could lay down certain regulations on the basis of zoning of areas and so on, but it would be foolish to do so without consultation because of the difficulty in implementing regulations. The problem is that consultations have taken place before this but we have not got agreement between the different categories of fishermen operating in our waters. It is on these consultations and the seeking of arrangements that the whole thing has broken down.

: Has the Minister any plans to meet the federation to discuss these issues and other matters of relevance? Has he met the federation?

: I have met any group representing fishermen who have asked to meet me or my Minister of State. We have met such groups without any preconditions and without any difficulty. If the Federation of Sea Anglers wish to meet either of us, they are very welcome to do so.

: The Minister has said that talks have broken down with the fishermen in relation to zoning. Does he intend commencing further talks?

: I should like to see agreement and if I thought there was any possibility of getting that agreement I should be very glad to bring the various parties together and initiate talks.

: Will the Minister accept——

: We cannot debate this matter at Question Time.

: This is in the national interest. Will the Minister extend an invitation to various organisations to meet with him or with his Minister of State and to commence further talks?

: There is a suggestion, with which I agree, that the sectoral consultative committee for the fishing industry would handle this matter for the moment. They represent the various parties and it might be better if they initiated talks and see how they get along.