asked the Minister for the Marine if he has specific proposals to develop fish life in the rivers and canals of Dublin to mark the millennium.

The central and regional fisheries boards have primary responsibility for the development of fisheries. My Department, the Central Fisheries board and the Office of Public Works liaise closely on matters relating to fish life in the canals.

The Department have asked the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board to give special consideration to projects relating to the rivers and canals of Dublin during the millennium year.

I thank the Minister for directing his Department to give special attention to this. Is the Minister aware that the Royal Canal, the Grand Canal and the Liffey pass through some of the most impoverished areas in the city? Will the Minister agree that during the millennium it would be fitting to make a special effort to promote a competition sponsored by the Department to encourage unemployed people to use this environmental facility?

I will certainly ask the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board and the Office of Public Works to have a look at the areas mentioned by the Deputy. The Eastern Regional Fisheries Board and the Office of Public Works are considering a number of projects and if such a scheme is not one of them I can ask them to include it for consideration. Bank clearance works, minor improvements, and work on access to the canals are being carried out. The projects are generally outside Dublin. However, the board and the Office of Public Works have considered a number of projects in the inner city area. Difficulties regarding access and the availability of finance is limiting the extent to which the board can carry out these works.

In view of the fact that the millennium is vitally important to the city, will the Minister say if that consideration will include stocking the canals and rivers with perch, roach, bream and trout? Will he specifically promote educational courses in marine culture and on water safety for the young and ensure that the Grand Canal and the Royal Canal particularly and the other waterways in the city will be given priority for development as an environmental facility during the millennium?

The Office of Public Works have responsibility for the canals and are required to consult with my Department on matters relating to fish life in the canals. I will bring all the matters raised by Deputy Mitchell to the attention of the central and regional fisheries boards and to the attention of the Office of Public Works when they next meet in the near future.

In relation to the Minister's last response to Deputy Mitchell, have his Department liaised with the OPW on the preparation of the Brady Shipman, Martin report commissioned by the Office of Public Works on the future development and management of the canals and if they have had an input in relation to the development of fish life on our two main canals?

We were asked on our views in relation to this.

Have you given them.

A final supplementary from Deputy Gay Mitchell.

Given that the millennium is a very special occasion and given the unemployment in the areas concerned, will the Minister consider sponsoring an adequate trophy for fishing competitions on the canals and rivers concerned for the millennium year?

The Department requested that finance for recreation purposes be made available from the national lottery fund. It is envisaged that specific millennium events will be sponsored and that restocking of the canals will take place. The Government decision of 10 November concerning the distribution of the national lottery fund allocated £700,000 for specific projects associated with the millennium. We understand that water-related recreation projects are not included at the moment but we will bring it to the Government's attention that they should be included.

Will the Minister consider the specific suggestion?

Absolutely.