asked the Minister for Fisheries if he has any information for the Dáil respecting a proposed Irish Fishery Company with, as reported in the Press, a capital of one million pounds and the prospect of several more millions; whether the Department has entered into any agreement with, or made any promises to the promoters of the Company, and if so, if he will state what is the nature of these agreements or promises.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - PROPOSED IRISH FISHERY CO.
TOMAS MAC EOIN
On yesterday I received a copy of a document which purports to have been issued from 22 Ely Place, Dublin, on 24th September. This document is in the nature of an outline of the prospectus of a limited liability company to be incorporated under the title of "Irish-American Fisheries, Ltd.," with a capital of one million sterling. The particulars given as to the directorate, bankers and other officers of the projected company are not definitely given, names being suggested only.
The objects of the company are stated to be the "acquiring, carrying on and controlling the entire fishing industry of Ireland."
My Department has not entered into any arrangement whatsoever with the promoters of this company. Until yesterday we were not informed of who were the promoters beyond the vague reports which have appeared from time to time during the past month in the columns of the daily Press. From these reports it would appear that one of the aims of the company was to provide patrol vessels to co-operate with my Department in policing the inshore fishing grounds of An Saorstát. My Department has not been approached by any person with such a proposal. No promise of support or cooperation in this or any other matter has been made to the promoters or to any persons on their behalf by me or by my Department.
As a great deal of attention has been directed to the activities of the projected company in the Press both here, in the provinces, in London, and also in the Fish Trade Journals, I consider it my duty in the interests of our fishermen and probable investors to express my very grave doubts about the genuineness of the proposed "Irish-American Fisheries, Ltd." From information of a confidential nature which I have received I am satisfied that the project is not one which can be recommended to Irish investors.