Is it the Minister's intention to have fishery boards utilise fishery areas to their full potential? If there are such derelict areas, would it be his intention to acquire them under section 37 of the 1980 Act?

Under existing legislation fishery boards have statutory obligations to develop inland fisheries and most of the boards have undertaken a survey of the catchments within their regions. Earlier this year the Central Fisheries Board published a documented strategy for the development of fisheries indicating a very wide range of initiatives which could be taken in inland fisheries. That report is being studied by my Department. I will bring the Deputy's views to the notice of the board and impress upon them the desirability of organising within their regions the development to the maximum potential of inland fisheries, especially areas which are not being fully utilised.