Vol. 521 No. 2
59 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources when he expects to receive the report from the National Salmon Commission on the issue of the introduction of tagging of all angling and commercially caught wild salmon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16675/00]
The chairman of the National Salmon Commission has forwarded the advice of the commission that the tagging regulations should be signed by me as soon as possible with an implementation date effective on 1 January 2001. This will enable the ongoing preparatory work to be completed over the coming months together with a high profile education and public awareness programme. I welcome the achievement of the commission in progressing the tagging scheme to the final stage.
I understand that a meeting of the commission will be held shortly to complete the technical consideration of the draft regulations in light of the consultation process. Following this meeting and the completion of ongoing consultation by my Department with the Attorney General's office, I intend to sign the regulations which will provide for the implementation of tagging from 1 January 2001.
