asked the President whether his attention has been called to the fact that the total value of the sea fisheries of the Saorstát in the year 1923 was £211,000; and whether he will consider the abolition of the Ministry of Fisheries with a view either to the relief of the general taxpayer or to the distribution of the £54,000 which the Ministry costs as a 25 per cent. pro rata bonus on the catch-to the fishermen.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - SAORSTÁT SEA FISHERIES.
The value of fish landed at the principal sea fishing stations in Saorstát for the year 1923 was £211,148. In addition to this figure, further returns for the year are now being collected in respect of landings at the smaller fishing stations. This figure does not include the value of salmon and sea-trout caught, which is approximately £250,000. It is estimated that the value of fish of all kinds produced in Saorstát last year was well over £550,000.
The sea fishing industry during the year 1923 was unprecedently low owing to after effects of the European War, to the disorganisation of our local railways consequent on civil strife, to the continuous stormy weather during the fishing seasons, and to the inability of the fishermen in the South, West and North Coast ports to fit out for the fishing, and also to the lack of enterprise among Irish curers of pickled mackerel, who, at the opening of the autumn mackerel fishing, were deterred from buying the catches by discouraging reports from interested persons in U.S.A. as to the condition of the American markets.
These conditions appear to point to the need, if the finances of the State could afford it, for increased rather than restricted governmental action in the interest of what should be one of the most important industries in the Saorstát.
It should be borne in mind that the services now administered by this Department include rural industries, and that in the fishery work there are several purely administrative functions discharged, such as policing the waters of Saorstát, and scientific research work.
As it is evident there is a tax of something like 3s. in the £ on the fishing industry in the Saorstát, would the Minister make an effort to induce the staff of his Department to make an effort to justify their existence either scientifically or commercially?
As I am not in the fishing business, may I ask that the question be repeated, because I did not catch the whole of it.
I do not think we could have the supplementary question repeated.
I would like to ask whether the policing of the fisheries falls under the Home Affairs Department or under the Department of Defence in the case of trawlers coming into the waters of the Saorstát? In my opinion the policing of the fisheries should not be a part of the work of the Ministry of Fisheries.
That does not arise at all within this question.