Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Jun 1998

Vol. 493 No. 3

Written Answers. - Inland Fisheries.

Jim Higgins

Question:

156 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if his Department's representatives on the Central Fisheries Board have established when the transfer of the management of the Moy as agreed by his predecessor will take place and the management put into the hands of the North Western Regional Fisheries Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16240/98]

Jim Higgins

Question:

157 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if his Department has received reports in relation to fish stocks in the Moy, County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16241/98]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Dr. Woods)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 156 and 157 together.

The management of the River Moy is at present the responsibility of the Central Fisheries Board, which runs the fishery for the benefit of all users of the resource. The central board monitors the fish stocks on a regular basis to ensure that the Moy remains one of our foremost fishing rivers. I have asked the Central Fisheries Board, in consultation with the Marine Institute, for an assessment of the state of the stocks in the River Moy, and I will advise the Deputy further as soon as possible.

Officials from my Department have recently met with the Central Fisheries Board to review progress on the transfer of the Moy fishery to the North-Western Regional Fisheries Board. The central board has advised that arrangements for the transfer are nearing finalisation and they expect the transfer to be effected quickly after that.