asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that fishing boats on the Donegal coast are unable to put to sea as the result of a regulation introduced recently by two distributing oil companies in County Donegal whereby vaporising and other fuel oils will not be delivered in quantities of less than 100 gallons, a quantity for which boat owners have no storage; and, if so, if he will take immediate steps to remedy this position.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Oil Companies' Regulation.
I am aware that two companies who distribute fuel oil in County Donegal recently decided to restrict deliveries to minimum quantities —in one case 100 gallons and in the other 200 gallons. I am informed that both companies are prepared to make exceptions to meet the special circumstances of fishermen, and I have no information that the arrangements made by the companies have resulted in fishing boats being unable to put to sea. If the Deputy will let me have particulars of any such cases which have come to his notice, I will give further consideration to the matter.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that when a boat puts to sea for a night's fishing it may have 30 or 40 gallons of oil but it may not be able to return to its home port as a result of inclement weather or otherwise and may make for another port in the morning? A boat is not capable of storing 100 or 200 gallons of oil and is, therefore, not able to go to sea on the following night. In Donegal last week two boats were unable to go to sea because these companies refused to supply them with a quantity of oil less than 100 gallons and they had not storage tanks for that quantity.
The Deputy will notice from the reply that the companies say there will be an exception made in the case of fishermen and that they are prepared to supply smaller quantities than 100 gallons.
It will be satisfactory if they do.
Perhaps the Deputy will keep us posted in connection with any difficulties which may arise.
The fishing, in fact, is over by the time it is investigated.