Mrs. Sharon McMahon:

I will take the first part of the question about Warrenpoint Harbour and the dredging proposal. The Loughs Agency is aware that a planning application has been submitted. The port is planning to dump dredge material in the lough where the material is currently is placed six miles out to sea. We are part of that consultation process. That is the degree to which we have been involved at the minute. We are at the table with regard to discussions. Our people on the ground have been in discussions with the harbour but that is all we are prepared to comment on at the moment. I will pass over to our director of aquaculture in a minute who can talk about the possible effects on the shellfish and aquaculture industry in Carlingford Lough.

With regard to disputed waters in Carlingford and Foyle, again, this is out of our control but it is something we would very much like to see moved forward with regard to the management agreement because we really do want to work with the oyster farmers, particularly in Lough Foyle where there are a number of unregulated oyster trestles at the moment, probably in the region of 50,000. We want to work with them and regulate that activity. The Act is there; it just needs to be enacted to allow us to regulate that activity. The farmers in the area do want to work with the agency. Again, our director of aquaculture, Barry Fox, can talk about that further.

With regard to SeaMonitor, we are very proud of the achievements of our staff with regard to securing that funding. Dr. Patrick Boylan has been instrumental in securing that funding for us and it will be a very worthwhile project. We are recruiting staff for well-paid jobs that will be based in the Derry area, which is quite welcome for the economy there. Mr. Fox might answer the question about Warrenpoint Harbour.