John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 353: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reason he has protected our natural resource and managed it in a sustainable fashion for the benefit of the Irish Bottom Mussel Industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26418/06]

John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 354: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reason the constitutional rights of the bottom mussel industry were not protected by him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26419/06]

John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 355: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reason since 2000 he took advice from SMAC which is a non-statutory body for the management of mussel resource here, when this action was in breach of his power; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26420/06]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Question Nos. 353 to 355, inclusive, together.

Under the Voisinage Agreement, an international agreement between Ireland and the UK in respect of Irish and Northern Ireland waters, access to the mussel seed fishery is on an All Island basis. Under this agreement, it is required that UK registered vessels licensed by the Northern Ireland authorities to operate in this fishery, must be owned and operated in Northern Ireland. Therefore, in order to provide for the proper management of this stock, it is necessary that it is managed through a process of consultation between the Department, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Northern Ireland and the Loughs Agency.

These joint management arrangements are administrative and serve to ensure the coordinated implementation of the statutory requirements to be adhered to by all those operating in the fishery. These arrangements also serve to coordinate expert technical advice on the management of the fishery, such as opening and closing of the fishery and the allocation of tonnage of seed to be fished by individual operators, so as to ensure a sustainable and equitable level of exploitation. It may be noted that, in response to a call from industry, my Department has initiated a review of the bottom mussel sector, in conjunction with DARDNI and the Loughs Agency, which will involve consultation with industry at local level. As we have seen with other fisheries, participation by industry stakeholders is of key importance to ensuring best practice is followed in management strategies and, I hope this review will strengthen industry representation for the bottom mussel sector and facilitate stakeholder participation in its management.