asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state whether any arrangements are being made to set up fish curing stations for the purpose of making good the deficiency due to the cessation of imports of smoked fish, of which large quantities were previously used in rural districts.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fish Curing Stations.
No arrangements are being made to set up fish curing stations for the purpose mentioned by the Deputy. The production of preserved fish of the kind extensively used in the rural parts of the country up to a year or so ago could not be carried on without plentiful supplies of suitable fish at a cheap price. Such supplies have not been available for some time past, and it is not likely that they will be, so long as present conditions continue. I understand, however, that some supplies of preserved fish are being imported at present.
The Minister is aware that there is no salt fish available at present for rural districts? We are now in the Lenten period, with two days of abstinence in the week, and the men working hard on the land have not got any fish. In my constituency, the fish has been caught, and had to be dumped into the sea because of lack of curing facilities. Would the Department not take steps to ensure that any fish caught will be cured locally? It was done formerly in Baltimore and Kinsale, and it could be done again, and a supply of fish made available to the hard-working people of the country.
The Deputy is aware that any fish being caught at the moment is being sold fresh at a good price, but there is some salt fish being imported.
Would the Department not be prepared to take precautions for the immediate future, when fish will be more plentiful, to ensure that none of it will be dumped into the sea, but that it will all be cured? Herring, mackerel, cod, ling, bream, haddock-all these can be cured.