Vol. 476 No. 7
433 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for the Marine the number of consultative meetings which have taken place between the Minister of State at his Department and his counterpart, Baroness Denton on the new legislative changes proposed for the Foyle Fisheries Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8233/97]
In 1994 both Governments endorsed the recommendations of the review of the operations, funding, structure and staffing of the Foyle Fisheries Commission and authorised the drafting of legislation to give effect jointly to those recommendations of the review which require legislative action.
The parallel drafting process involved the Attorney General's office and the Office of the Legislative Counsel, Belfast, and associated discussions between the two sponsoring Departments is progressing in accordance with the proposals authorised by both Governments.
Respective Ministers have been briefed on the progress to date on the drafting process and of ongoing official contacts in the matter. While no specific consultative meetings at ministerial level have been held recently in relation to the legislative proposals, Ministers will continue to take appropriate opportunities to discuss progress.
