Dr. Cathal Gallagher:

One of the focuses of that particular area is this index catchment. It one of the national salmonid index catchment areas. Since the 1980s, we have had facilities there to trap, count and look at all the fish. We also have that whole catchment now indexed for other research programmes so we are looking at the climate changes. It is a very natural catchment with a good run of salmon and sea trout. We have research staff based there. We have a number of funded projects that are looking at that. It is a critical national piece of infrastructure in respect of our work and research and it is planned for the area to be of increased focus. It is so valuable that when we bring other international scientists there' they are amazed we have a facility like that available. It is a full catchment under our control where we can look at the details of what is happening with these fish populations. We can look at the stresses and pressures that they are under. We can look at taking mitigation actions and see if those actions can be reflected in other parts. The plan going forward is there will be a strong focus on that element of it.

The second part is the Ballinakill base and there has been some confusion when we start talking about all of this in the Aasleagh complex. The Ballinakill base has been refurbished, which was badly needed because the staff there who operate seagoing ribs, for example, and patrols.