Arising out of the comment of the Minister of State with regard to the strategy recently approved by the Government in relation to fish farming would he say if that means that approvals by Údarás na Gaeltachta in respect of fish farming development must be endorsed finally by the Department of the Marine before going ahead and if the Department of the Marine have overall responsibility for this development? In other words have Údarás na Gaeltachta authority to take decisions to give the goahead in respect of approved developments?

The answer is "yes". The recommendations of the committee, comprising representatives of the Department, An Bord Iascaigh Mhara, Údarás na Gaeltachta and the fisheries boards will come before the Minister. But I doubt very much that there would be any intention of nodding through any recommendations emanating from Údarás na Gaeltachta just for the sake of nodding them through. I fully appreciate the work done by Údarás na Gaeltachta over the years in the development of the aquaculture industry. If the Deputy has any fears I think I can allay them. Without prejudicing any discussions that might take place I should say I will be only too pleased to meet him to discuss these matters.