asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries if, owing to the fact that the price being paid for lobsters at present in West Cork is only 8/- per dozen, compared to 12/- and 13/- last season, the difference being due to the British tariffs, he will again consider the granting of a bounty on these shellfish to enable the poor fishermen on our rocky shores to get a fair living from their labours.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tariffs and Sale of Shellfish.
The price which the Deputy mentions as being paid at present for lobsters in West Cork is not in my opinion an unsatisfactory one, having regard to world prices and conditions generally. The prices mentioned as prevailing last year do not accord with my information on the subject. In my opinion a sufficient case has not been made to justify the granting of a bounty on shellfish.
The facts I have adduced are quite accurate according to my own experience. I know that 12/- or 13/- was the regular price on the Cork coast between Kinsale and Baltimore for lobster last year. I am very sorry to hear the Minister say that he thinks 8/- per dozen is fair remuneration for lobster fishermen. I was surmising the Parliamentary Secretary might say the price this year is not as good as last year in the English market, but I would remind him that whatever the price, he must understand that that price is lessened by the amount of the tariff, and that tariff is coming out of the remuneration of the unfortunate fishermen.