asked the Minister for Tourism, Fisheries and Forestry the action he is taking to develop a greater awareness of the need to develop fish life in the rivers and canals of Dublin; in particular, if he will assign an officer of his Department to co-ordinate such development through local authorities and community groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Overall responsibility for the development and conservation of fisheries in the rivers and canals of Dublin falls on the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board whose work I fully support.

The canals were transferred to the Office of Public Works on 1 July 1986 and that office is setting up a liaison committee at present to deal with the development of fisheries in the canals. My Department will be represented on the committee.