asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that the quantity of herring nets available from British sources, and which are allocated through his Department, is totally inadequate to meet the demand; and if he will make further representations to the British Controllers of Nets, with a view to having an increased quantity available for Irish fishermen to help the export trade of this important food.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Herring Nets.
I am aware that the global allocation of cotton fishing nets and twines made available to this country from the British and Northern Ireland manufacturers is quite inadequate to meet our requirements of herring nets having regard to the equally pressing need that exists for other fishing gear made from cotton. My Department has been pressing for the release of large quantities but is assured by the British authorities that it is not possible to expand the present allocation in view of the shortage of cotton thread.