asked the Minister for Fisheries whether he is aware that the present landing facilities at Knockadoon, Youghal, County Cork, are quite inadequate, and whether he is, therefore, prepared to have the necessary improvements made at that place.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - KNOCKADOON LANDING FACILITIES.
I am not aware that the facilities at Knockadoon are inadequate for the landing accommodation which they were designed to afford.
A harbour at that place capable of fully sheltering even the smallest craft would cost not less than £35,000, and I am not prepared to consider any such project. The quantity of fish landed at Knockadoon is inconsiderable.
Would the Minister be prepared to send down an engineer to make inquiries?
I have an engineer's report of only a few years ago, and there would really be no point in sending down an engineer again.
Is the Minister aware that this slip and shelter wall were built when there could be no supervision, during the "Tan" troubles, and that a boat, value for £650, bought by the fishermen, has been lying idle there during the past nine months, while French boats were coming in and fishing around this harbour. There are 173 fishermen concerned in this, and in view of the fact that these men are nearly starving, will the Minister consider sending down an engineer and taking some steps to prevent foreign boats coming in and fishing there?
Surely it is not the lack of a harbour that is keeping the boat there. The lack of a harbour should drive the boat out fishing.
The lack of proper facilities is preventing the boat from fishing.