asked the Minister for Agriculture if he proposes to take any steps to improve the facilities for fishermen in the Achill and Erris areas of North Mayo; and, if so, the nature of such proposals.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fishing Industry in North Mayo.
asked the Minister for Agriculture whether any arrangements are contemplated for the improvement of the fishing industry in the Lacken, Erris and Achill areas in North Mayo; and, if so, if he will indicate what are those arrangements.
With your permission, a Chinn Chomhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 119 and 120 together.
The improvement of facilities for the inshore fishermen generally is under examination and the claims and special circumstances of the areas mentioned by the Deputies will be fully considered. No definite arrangements have, however, yet been made.
Is not there a scheme in process for the complete reconstruction of Porteen Harbour, Achill Island?
That is so. That is just part of the possibilities of rehabilitating the fishing industry in the area mentioned—that and other matters.
I understood the Parliamentary Secretary to say that no definite arrangements had been made in the Department. Has not there a survey been made? Was not there a proposal to do half of Porteen, in Achill? Was not that rejected on the ground that it was decided that the Achill Harbour ought to be cleared, and are not steps being taken now in fact to remove all the rock and to restore the four sides of Porteen Harbour?
No. I do not think the Deputy's information is correct. I have said that no definite arrangements have yet been made. The improvement of Porteen Harbour and also Darby's Point are being considered, but no definite arrangements in the matter have yet been completed.
I gave directions three months ago about Porteen and I think they will go ahead.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that this particular matter has been looked into for as far back as I can remember and nothing has been done yet about it? What steps does he propose?
It will be done now.
I should like to say that the prosperity of the fishing industry in the area to which the Deputy refers, and in Galway as well, was wrapped up in the pickle curing of herrings and mackerel and, as he knows, that trade disappeared with the restrictions imposed on pickled herring on the Continent and pickled mackerel in America. If we are to revive it, we can only do so by improving the catching of fresh fish that is saleable here at home.
And by preventing the importation of salt fish.