asked the Minister for the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact that pike are now being netted in Irish lakes for export; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I am aware of reports of illegal fishing for pike. Indeed very recently I had reports of widespread illegal fishing for pike and the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board investigated. The investigation revealed, however, that the reports could not be substantiated.

Measures to conserve pike stocks were introduced under the conservation of pike by-law No. 654 of 1986. Primary enforcement of the by-law rests with the Central and Regional Fisheries Boards and I am currently reviewing these measures.

The fisheries boards are responsible for combating illegal fishing in their own areas. I support them in this work. I will continue to afford them every assistance to combat all types of illegal fishing within the limited resources available.

Arising out of the Minister's reply and, in particular, his reference to the 1986 order to conserve pike stocks, can he explain to the House why fisheries boards staff found it necessary to cull, in 1987, 4,800 pike in the Shannon fisheries board region, over 12,000 pike in the western region, 931 pike in the north western region and 30 pike in the northern region? How does that fit with the conservation order the Minister has just mentioned in respect of pike stocks which he says was issued in 1986?

The regional fisheries boards carry out pike eradication schemes to keep the levels of pike under control. The Department do not allow blanket approval to fishing clubs to fish for pike at all times. However, in the case of clubs wishing to hold fishing competitions or pike removal operations in certain western lakes, special arrangements can be made.

If these clubs in certain regions get a special permission, as it were, to help the fisheries boards in their culling or eradication schemes, will the £10 coarse angling licence be necessary, or what sense does it make to charge on the one hand when we are paying our fisheries boards staff on the other?

Would the Minister not agree that it is a totally daft position — the State having paid fisheries boards officers to cull 12,000 pike last year and now proposing to charge individuals to catch single pike by rod and line?

This is leading to argument.

I do not want to be unruly but it is very important in view of recent developments on western lakes, the home of traditional free fishing.

I would hope that those circumstances would not arise this year in so far as it may not be necessary but a decision was taken in the course of 1986 that that was absolutely necessary. We will review the position from time to time. However, with the demand for licences this year I do not foresee any necessity for the culling of pike.

Question No. 11 please.