Vol. 493 No. 4
39 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the proposals, if any, he has to develop inland fisheries on a cross-Border basis; the investment programmes in place or proposed in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16235/98]
There has been longstanding co-operation between the authorities North and South on matters of mutual interest in the inland fisheries area, with tangible benefits for the resource and the communities it supports. In that context the work of the Foyle Fisheries Commission and the Joint Committee for the Protection of the Erne are worthy examples. Current joint investment projects under the INTERREG and Peace and Reconciiiation programmes include a £2 million project to rehabilitate salmon and a £800,000 project to develop the eel resource in the Erne system. The active promotion of joint projects under these programmes is continuing in the inland fisheries area.
