asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state the results of the experiments of An Bord Iascaigh Mhara to find a market for cockles.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Market for Cockles.
I am informed by An Bord Iascaigh Mhara that they regret that their efforts to develop the sale of cockles have not so far been successful.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that, all over Great Britain, there is a demand at themoment for bottled cockles and winkles and that the English market is depending entirely on Boston, Massachusetts, for this supply? Will the Parliamentary Secretary endeavour to capture some of this market?
Hear, hear!
Our information is quite contrary to what the Deputy suggests. There is no great interest at all in Britain in Irish cockles.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary further aware that in every fish shop in Britain bottled cockles and winkles are on sale and that it is almost impossible to procure them in the sea there? If the Parliamentary Secretary wishes I will produce and make him a present of two such bottles.
The Deputy presented us with samples of them before. They were offered to the people who process these cockles and they informed the board that they were not interested in them.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the board's efforts consisted in my procuring these cockles for them and that neither they nor their representatives would go to the trouble of procuring them for themselves?
All right, Molly Malone.
The fishing industry has always stood on its own feet and has progressed quite satisfactorily and independently of State interference or lack of it.
You say that there is no demand and that it is progressing.
I say that the fishing industry generally——
You said shell-fish.