asked the Minister for Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to statements and reports with reference to the development of the sea fisheries on the west coast of Ireland, and, if so, whether he has any information in his Department as to the activities of the East Atlantic Fisheries Company, Ltd., and whether this Company has been in consultation with his Department with regard to fishery development.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - West of Ireland Sea Fisheries Development.
I have seen certain statements in the public Press which would appear to refer mainly to prospective rather than actual operations by the East Atlantic Fisheries Limited. There has been no consultation so far with my Department beyond a call paid by one of the Directors, a London businessman, who explained that he and some friends had formed a small company and purchased the assets (including, apparently, certain lobster ponds and oyster beds at, or near, Dawros) of the former West of Ireland Fisheries Company, which had not proved a success. The object of his call was to gather particulars of the current by-laws and regulations dealing with fisheries, the procedure for importing parts of marine motor engines, the conditions governing bounties payable on certain exports of fish, and similar routine matters.