asked the Minister for Agriculture (1) if he is prepared to investigate the possibility of enabling sea fishermen to purchase boats and gear at not more than a 10 per cent. deposit; and (2) if, owing to the difficulty of obtaining new engines for sea fishermen's boats, he will facilitate them in obtaining second-hand engines of the Kelvin or other types.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fishermen's Boats and Gear.
(1) Provision is made in the Fisheries Vote to enable the Sea Fisheries Association to issue boats, engines and fishing gear to members on hire-purchase terms in accordance with the association's rules. These rules permit, for the time being, acceptance by the directors of a minimum deposit of 10 per cent. in respect of a hirepurchase transaction where the circumstances of a particular applicant are such as to warrant this course.
(2) The dependability of second-hand motor engines is of more consequence than their cost. It is unfortunately the case that reliable second-hand outfits are very difficult to get even at prices which are virtually as high as those of new engines. I am assured that the directors of the Sea Fisheries Association are unsparing in their efforts to acquire suitable engines for members.