61 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if, in regard to his decision to purchase a prime salmon fishery on the River Moy at Foxford, County Mayo, he has plans to acquire other such fisheries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9896/02]

Under the Fisheries Acts, a fisheries board may be authorised by me, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, to acquire a particular fishery for the purpose of enabling a development plan prepared by the board to be carried out.

Subject to available Exchequer funding, I will consider any application from a fisheries board for my authorisation to acquire a fishery on its merits at the time.