Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 429: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his Department will give an undertaking to purchase the Owenmore River in County Kerry which will go on sale on 21 October 2005 to ensure that the river and its amenities are made available for public use by the local community. [29093/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Fisheries Acts, primary responsibility for the management and development of the inland fisheries sector rests with the local fisheries board, in this case the South Western Regional Fisheries Board. There is, however, neither funding nor a grant scheme available through which either the Department or the fisheries board could consider providing assistance towards the purchase of this fishery.

It is my understanding, from a recent reply by my colleague the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs to a similar question, that Udarás na Gaeltachta had invited the local co-operative society to submit any development plans it may have for the Owenmore fishery and that Údarás na Gaeltachta has agreed to provide assistance to enable the preparation of a business plan in relation to the purchase and development of the fishery and the sourcing of investment for such a purchase.