asked the Minister for the Marine the reason West Kerry fishermen are prohibited from landing herring at Dingle Harbour; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Dingle has not been designated as an authorised landing port for herring for the autumn/winter fishery on the basis that

(a) fishing for herring west of 9 West is prohibited under EC regulations up to 1 November and

(b) that the scientific advice available to me suggests that herring of sufficient quantity and quality will not be available for convenient landing at Dingle as and from 1 November.

I have received representations in relation to the latter point and I would be prepared to consider Dingle and other ports for herring landings in the event of possible changes in fishing patterns.