asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that fishermen, anxious to purchase fishing boats from the Irish Sea Fisheries Association, find it impossible to pay the first instalment of 20 per cent. of the purchase price; and whether he will sanction an arrangement whereby they may purchase boats on payment of 5 per cent. of the purchase price.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Purchase of Fishing Boats.
asked the Minister for Agriculture whether, is view of the increased cost of fishing boats and gear over the past 12 months, he will consider the advisability of arranging for a reduction in the amount of the initial deposit on the purchase of such boats, as fishermen find it difficult, and in some cases impossible, to meet the present initial outlay.
With your permission, a Chinn Chomhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 21 together. In accordance with rule No. 16 of the Irish Sea Fisheries Association, the normal minimum prepayment to be made by a member, who himself proposes to engage in fishing, in respect of a boat issued to him on hire-purchase is 20 per cent. of the cost of the boat. Rule 23, the currency of which expired on 31st December last, provided for the acceptance in exceptional circumstances of a lower prepayment than 20 per cent. but not less than 10 per cent. The question of the continuance for a further period of rule 23 is at present under consideration. In the event of its being continued, it is not intended to provide for a lower minimum prepayment than 10 per cent.
Is the Minister aware that fishermen on the Kerry coast are unable to pay the 20 per cent. deposit? Because of their inability to find the initial deposit, they have been informed that they are excluded. Would the Minister at least consider their being supplied with boats if they can find a 10 per cent. deposit?
Certainly. In any case where the Sea Fisheries Association has reason to believe that a man is honest and intends to work, it is my intention that he shall not be deprived of the opportunity of purchasing a boat out of his earnings merely for want of a 20 per cent. deposit. In suitable cases an application to reduce that initial deposit will be favourably considered.
Is the Minister aware that the cost of a 50-foot boat nowadays, suitable for all kinds of fishing, is as much as £9,000? A deposit of 20 per cent, of that amount would run to £1,800. That is entirely too much of an initial outlay for the ordinary fisherman. Is the Minister further aware that there are many fishermen in Dingle and elsewhere who are awaiting a decision as to whether or not there will be a revision of the policy of the Department in connection with this deposit? Would it not be better to accept a deposit of perhaps 5 per cent. and leave the remainder to be collected over a period of years?
I am aware of the excellence of the boats now provided and the excellence of the general equipment now provided. I am aware that both those features have resulted in the boats costing somewhat more than did the inadequate vessels which were heretofore made available to the fishermen. It is my intention to ensure that any fisherman on any part of our coast who, in his particular circumstances, has a reasonable chance of successfully using a boat to earn a living for himself and for his crew, will have access to such a boat and that he will be afforded facilities to pay for it by instalments collected out of his catches.
I think the Deputy will probably agree with me that any man who contemplates undertaking on behalf of himself and his crew a liability of from £9,000 to £10,000—these boats are very expensive because they are the best boats that can be bought for money anywhere in the world—does himself an injustice if he accepts a liability of that size without having certain resources to justify him embarking on such a venture. I am sure the Deputy is aware that most of the men who contemplate skippering boats of this kind have no unreasonable strain placed upon them to put up £800 or £900 if they are thereby enabled to secure a boat which will enable them to go further afield in the knowledge that whatever catch they bring back will be taken from them at a fixed and certain price at the quay.
Would the Minister now state when it is proposed to arrive at a decision in connection with the applications that are now before the Sea Fisheries Association for a reduction in the deposit on these boats?
As the Deputy is aware, the Sea Fisheries Association is an autonomous body in the day-to-day activities of which I am solicitous not to interfere; but were I to learn that the Sea Fisheries Association, by stipulating for too substantial an initial deposit, are cutting across the policy of the Government, which policy is to make good boats available to all good fishermen, I would deem it my duty to intervene in that matter and correct the misapprehension under which they would then appear to be labouring.
If the Sea Fisheries Association are an autonomous body and if representations have been made to them in connection with this problem and they have informed a Deputy that they are awaiting a decision from the Minister in connection with this question of a reduction on the deposit of 20 per cent., where am I then to get the information?
I am not aware that the Deputy has ever communicated with the Minister, or that any Deputy has communicated with the Minister; nor am I aware that the Deputy, or any other Deputy, has any reason to believe that if he desires to make representations personally, by telephone or by letter, that he will be received with anything but the most favourable and respectful courtesy by the Minister.
That is a quibble.
I have done it.