asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that certain persons who receive compensation under Section 35 (6) of the Fisheries Act, 1939, suffer very severely through their compensation being calculated on their average earnings during an open fishing season of 26 to 28 weeks, whereas in fact their effective fishing season is often very much shorter than this period; and, if so, whether he will introduce proposals for supplementary legislation to remedy the grave hardship being suffered by the people concerned.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Compensation under Fisheries Act, 1939.
Mr. Flynn
I do not consider that the basis of compensation provided for in the section under reference will in practice operate unreasonably for claimants generally as regards the point raised by the Deputy, and therefore see no need for supplementary legislation in respect of it.
Is the Minister aware that under this section the period of 26 weeks is mentioned as the fishing period whereas in certain areas the actual fishing season, because of weather and other conditions, is on an average much less than 26 or 28 weeks? In justice to the fishermen concerned, is it not right that the Minister should see his way to introduce amending legislation so as to remedy this matter?
The Deputy has gone a bit far afield from the question. If he puts down another question on this matter, the Minister will deal with it more adequately than I can.