169 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Finance the status of the fishing rights of the Coddington/Jack Worry stretch of the River Boyne at Oldbridge, Drogheda, County Meath; if the recent purchase of the land and property by the State included the fishing rights; the registration categories entitled to fish on this stretch; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5341/02]

The purchase of the Oldbridge estate included fishing rights. The Eastern Regional Fisheries Board, ERFB, has made a proposal to manage the fishing rights on behalf of the State. In 2001, two fishing licences were granted by the ERFB. It is intended that this arrangement will continue in 2002 at which point formal agreement will have been reached between the State and the ERFB on the future management of the fishery.