asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will take steps to prohibit the importation of fresh fish, except under licence, in cases where Irish fishermen are capable of landing in adequate quantities the classes of fish required for home consumption.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Imports of Fish.
Apart from herrings and mackerel, which are the subject of a special arrangement, the importation of fresh fish is at present prohibited except under licence in accordance with the provisions of Fish (Regulation of Import) (No. 2) Order, 1938. Import licences are not issued when home landings are sufficient to meet requirements.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will indicate (a) the terms of the 1938 Trade Agreement with Great Britain concerning fish imports in so far as it affected Irish fishermen; (b) to what extent its provisions were implemented before February, 1948; and (c) whether he will consider a revision of the agreement with a view to prohibiting the importation of smoked, cured or other preserved fish in cases where a sufficiency of such fish can be provided at competitive prices in this country for home consumption.
A copy of the Trade Agreement referred to is, I understand, available in the Oireachtas Library and I would refer the Deputy to it for the information he asks for at (a) in his question. Following upon the agreement imports of fresh or frozen fish were regulated by means of the Fish (Regulation of Import) (No. 2) Order, 1938, and, in addition, import duties as follows were imposed under the Finance (Agreement with United Kingdom) Act, 1938, on fish of United Kingdom or Canadian origin in substitution for the duties previously payable under the Finance Act, 1934:— Fish, filleted, and parts thereof, 1d. per lb.; fish, kippered and smoked, 1/- per stone. These control arrangements are still in operation.
As to the suggestion at (c) in the Deputy's question, I am satisfied that there is not at present being produced in this country a sufficiency of preserved fish for home requirements. If and when the conditions mentioned by the Deputy arise the question of prohibiting imports can be considered.