asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he will indicate the extent to which the cost of fishing nets and other equipment has increased within the past year; and, if the increase is substantial, whether he will ask the Sea Fisheries Association to take appropriate steps to offset the hardship that it imposes on fishermen.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cost of Fishing Equipment.
I am informed that increases have taken place during the past 12 months in the prices of fishing gear ranging from approximately 2½ per cent. in the case of Fleetwood trawls to a maximum of 24 per cent. in the case of fishing twines. The equipment supplied by the Sea Fisheries Association to its members is purchased from the funds received from the Exchequer as repayable advances and the association has accordingly no alternative but to pass on to its members any increased prices which it has to pay for such equipment.