The North-Western Regional Fisheries Board informs me that it submitted 104 objections to Mayo County Council in respect of planning applications in 2000 and that it submitted 76 such objections in 2001. The board informs me that its objections are based on the need to protect the inland fisheries from adverse effects due to planning developments. The board states that in general its concerns are taken very seriously and that in the vast majority of cases permission is subsequently granted with conditions which reflect these concerns.
In the time available the fisheries boards have not been able to provide the information requested by the Deputy in relation to the total number of objections submitted nationally during 2000 and 2001. I will give the Deputy this information as soon as it is available.