Vol. 540 No. 2
95 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if consultations have concluded on the Foyle Fisheries legislation that is currently under review; the status of this legislation; when it is expected to come before Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20436/01]
96 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if an overall plan of development will be drawn up for the River Foyle by representatives of his Department in consultation with all relevant bodies in the region to ensure that the many activities planned for the river are co-ordinated and complimentary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20437/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 95 and 96 together.
Officials from my Department and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Northern Ireland and the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel in both jurisdictions are working together on the preparation of the draft legislation and I expect that the Bill will be ready for publication towards the end of this year.
As part of the legislation preparation process the two Departments undertook a public consultation process in both the Foyle and Carlingford areas last year. All stakeholders were invited to participate and the outcome of this has informed the drafting of the Bill.
Under the British Irish Agreement Act, 1999 the Foyle Carlingford Irish Lights Commission, FCILC, is responsible for the development of fisheries, aquaculture and marine tourism in the Foyle and Carlingford areas. The preparation and co-ordination of any strategic plans in relation to these matters are the direct responsibility of the FCILC. The Act also provides that the FCILC will prepare a strategic plan for marine tourism, including the promotion and marketing of the Foyle and Carlingford areas and co-ordination of the delivery of the development strategy. The FCILC is currently undertaking preliminary work in relation to the perpetration of such a plan.
