asked the Minister for the Marine the present position regarding applications for the erection of cages in any of the lakes in County Galway; and if he will give details of any such applications.

I have stated previously that fish cages will not be allowed in lakes where there are major wild fisheries, trout and salmon.

Two applications to place cages in lakes in County Galway are under consideration in my Department. As applications are normally treated as confidential in the early stages it would not be appropriate to reveal details of them at this point.