asked the Minister for Tourism, Fisheries and Forestry the special measures being taken to protect fresh water fish from the effects of widespread pollution of rivers and lakes.

I do not accept that there is widespread pollution of Irish rivers and lakes. In addition to the ongoing work of local authorities to prevent pollution of rivers and lakes the central and regional fisheries boards are also very active in protecting freshwater fish from water pollution through the activities of their pollution officers and other field staff. They have engaged in a special educational campaign in the press and on RTE aimed at alerting the principal offenders to the dangers of pollution to fish stocks and exhorting them to take remedial measures. In addition, the Central Fisheries Board have produced a film on water pollution which has been distributed countrywide.