Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 Mar 1924

Vol. 6 No. 22

CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - DISPOSAL OF FISHING BOATS.

CONCHUBHAIR O CONGHAILE

asked the Minister for Fisheries if he will state at what price it is intended to dispose of the fishing boats at present in the hands of the Ministry; whether, if the price be at the "war" price obtainable during the period 1915 to 1922, it is in the interest of economy that such a price be asked, seeing that these boats depreciate from month to month, and whether, in the interests of the fishermen and the benefit of the State, he will consider disposing of these boats at the present-day selling price.

Twelve months ago the Ministry took over from the Congested Districts Board a considerable number of sail and motor fishing boats, and one steam fishing vessel. Of these boats, a few had been built during 1919-20-21, and have never been to sea owing to the failure of the fishing; the remainder had been taken up by the Board from loan borrowers who had failed to pay their instalments and were neglecting the boats and motor engines.

The boats on our hands, which were built in 1919-20, cost considerably more than can now be got for them, and I am in correspondence with the Minister for Finance regarding the selling price of one boat, which it is desired to sell at considerably lower than the cost.

I am quite alive to the fact that fishing boats — especially when fitted with motor engines — deteriorate rapidly when not in use, and efforts are being made to dispose of the boats to suitable fishermen, but owing to the low demand for fishing boats at present and to the difficulty which fishermen experience in obtaining satisfactory sureties for a large loan, there has not been any sale so far.

Top
Share