asked the Minister for Supplies if he is aware of the serious hardship imposed on fishermen, harnessmakers and shoemakers, by the shortage of supplies of flaxen hemp; and if the Minister will make representations to the British authorities with a view to the import of supplies of this essential commodity.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Flaxen Hemp Supplies.
Mr. Broderick
asked the Minister for Supplies if he is aware of the grave hardship caused to those engaged in the salmon-fishing industry in the South of Ireland by the non-granting by the British authorities of licences for the export of good quality hemp for salmon nets; that the hemp now available is of such poor quality that the fishermen do not consider it worth while to fish with it; and whether the Minister will endeavour to arrange for the import of suitable nets and hemp.
I will take questions Nos. 22 and 23 together. I am aware of the difficulties to which the questions refer. I have already made representations to the British authorities but I am not in a position to encourage any hope that flax or hemp will be released for any of these purposes.
There is a possibility that some supplies of cotton may be made available for use in the manufacture and repair of fishing nets and lines, and, in the meantime, arrangements have been made for the manufacture in this country of a limited quantity of cotton twine for the carrying out of urgent repair work on nets.
Arrangements have also been made which should come fully into operation early in the new year, for the release of a limited quantity of cotton yarn for the manufacture of a substitute thread at a rate which should be sufficient to meet bare essential requirements of harness makers and shoemakers.
Mr. Broderick
Is the Minister aware that, whatever use cotton or hemp may be for other forms of fishing, it is absolutely useless for drift-net fishing. There is only one kind of yarn that is suitable for that, that is, what they call a three-ply patent manufactured either in England or in the North of Ireland. We are quite aware that the British Ministry is refusing to grant a licence but we are equally aware, and so is the Minister, that practically the entire amount of flax produced in this country is going to the North of Ireland. Is it not possible to negotiate on that basis for what is really essential and without which we will have no salmon fishing? Could the Minister not arrange for an exchange on that basis?
I do not think there is the slightest prospect of any permit being granted by the British Government for the exportation of flaxen products to this country.
Mr. Broderick
The result of that will be that drift-net salmon fishing, the great majority of the product of which goes to the English market, will cease because without this three-ply patent it is impossible to carry it on.
I am aware of that.