asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state (a) how many weeks each of the three trawlers purchased by An Bórd Iascaigh Mhara has fished since purchased; (b) the nationality of the skipper and mate of each of these vessels and (c) thenumber of members of the combined crews of each of the said three vessels who have been in continuous employment on the trawlers for (i) less than four weeks and (ii) more than six weeks.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fishing Trawlers.
I am informed by An Bórd Iascaigh Mhara that the particulars sought by the Deputy are as follows:— (a) 17 weeks, 17 weeks, 3 days and 10 weeks 5 days to 6th June, 1953; (b) two of the skippers are of German nationality and one of British nationality and the three second hands are respectively of Irish, British and German nationality; (c) (i) 17 and (ii) 23.
Is it not possible to obtain Irishmen to man these ships and take over the position of skipper and second in command on these ships? If we have to employ foreign personnel, we should employ only foreign skippers; the mates should be Irish and be the future skippers of these boats.
In ten years only three Irishmen offered themselves for examination for the certificates. Of the three, only one passed. That one was not available for employment on these boats. The skipper and the second hand must be certificated personnel and the boats cannot go to sea unless they have these certificated personnel on board.
The position is that we have not an Irishman capable of managing them?
Unfortunately, that is the case. These boats will remedy the position.
Would it not be possible for the Parliamentary Secretary to advertise to repatriate Irish skippers who may be serving in British or other foreign trawlers and so give employment to them on these trawlers at home here?
The board advertised twice in the daily papers at home and did so in order that if there were any suitable personnel available in thecountry they would have first preference. I cannot tell the Deputy offhand whether they sought Irishmen abroad, but I take it that if they did not advertise they made inquiries of another kind.
Would it be the truth that it is owing to the unseaworthiness of these boats that Irish skippers will not offer themselves for the position?
That is not so. I want to tell the Deputy that these boats are 100 per cent. Irish owned and that of the 24 personnel aboard 19 are Irish. Six are technical staff and one of these is Irish. I think it is a far better position, to have the boats with only five foreigners on them out of the 24 employed, than to have a fleet of Dutch boats that are Dutch owned and with completely Dutch personnel, fishing out of Donegal ports.
I know nothing about that.
You do, because you asked me to let them in.
No.