asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if his Department has any plans to purchase the Boyne Fisheries at Drybridge, Drogheda, for public use; if he will agree that such a purchase would also be of great help to the tourist industry in the Drogheda area; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Louth Fishery.
521.
There are no plans for the purchase by my Department of the Boyne Fisheries at Drybridge, Drogheda. Under the Fisheries Act, 1980, the Central Fisheries Board is empowered in certain circumstances, and subject to my authorisation with the consent of the Minister for Finance, to acquire a fishery where it is considered expedient that such acquisition is necessary for the purpose of managing, operating, protecting or developing the fishery in accordance with a development programme. I have received no such request from the Central Fisheries Board in respect of the fishery referred to.