Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 245: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will report on the quotas and TACs sought by the EU Fisheries Commission for 2007 and on the priorities for the Irish negotiating team in Brussels in December 2006; and if this will include further invigilation of gill nets. [43435/06]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The draft Total Allowable Catches (TACs) and Quotas Regulation for 2007 was published by the EU Commission on the 5th December 2006, and will be decided on at the Council of Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers next week from the 19th to 21st December 2006.

I met with our industry representatives on Tuesday in order to discuss the proposed EU Regulation and to identify our priorities for the Council. I will have further discussions with the industry on an ongoing basis throughout these negotiations at Council.

My primary aim, together with the Department, is to ensure that all Irish fishermen will have the maximum possible quantity and range of fishing possibilities that can be justified on a sustainable basis, available to them in 2007.

With regard to gill nets, the EU Commission has proposed a number of regulatory measures on the advice of its Scientific Committee and I will be seeking to have these measures adopted.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 246: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the way the new regulations will affect draft net fishermen on the River Boyne (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43498/06]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I recently published the draft Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme Regulations and made them available for public consultation up until 17 December 2006. The regulation provides for the revised quotas for the taking of salmon (including sea trout over 40 centimetres) by commercial fishing engines and the introduction of a quota for anglers. The quotas are to be allocated on a river-by-river basis. The draft regulation, sets out the Total Allowable Catch that may be taken by commercial fishing engines and rod and line on a river by river basis and by river catchments.

The scientific advice of the Standing Scientific Committee of the National Salmon Commission indicates that the River Boyne is not reaching its conservation limit and in the circumstances there is no quota for salmon and sea trout that may be taken by commercial fishing engines and rod and line in 2007.