asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will consider the request of the Cahirciveen and Valentia fishermen for a bounty of 10 per cent. on the export of all fresh mackerel and herring, with a view to assisting the industry still struggling in a very depressed market and severely affected by the British-imposed tariff of 10 per cent.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bounty on Irish Mackerel and Herring.
A bounty equivalent to the British duty has been granted and still applies in respect of fresh mackerel exported to Great Britain and Northern Ireland. A like bounty on the export of fresh herrings which previously obtained was not availed of to any considerable extent and was withdrawn. Representations since made to me do not justify me in recommending that a bounty on the export of fresh herrings be again granted.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, the bounty on herrings was given at a time when there were no herrings. Would the Minister not consider the whole question of giving on all fish exported to Great Britain a bounty equal to the tariffs levied there? Otherwise, it will be impossible to put any sort of fresh fish on the British market.
That is a very big question.