asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state what price per stone could be paid for fish intended for manufacture into fish meal under the separate categories of (1) white fish and (2) other kinds of fish.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fish Prices.
I am informed by An Bord Iascaigh Mhara that, on the basis of the costings of production of fish meal to date at the experimental plant operated by them at Killybegs, County Donegal, the price that can be paid per stone for raw materials at the plant is 9d. for white fish and approximately 1/- for other kinds of fish according to oil content.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary agree with me that the prospect of 9d. a stone for white fish scarcely holds out the prospect of an El Dorado for fishermen?
That is a separate question.
Is it not a fact that up to the present the trawlers have only succeeded in getting enough fish to pay the running costs?
That is another separate question.
Deputy Rooney's question is not relevant, but in reply toDeputy Dillon I would like to point out that fish meal manufacture is ancillary to the fishing industry.
Agreed.
It is not intended to be any more.
I agree, but I just wanted to avoid false hopes being raised.
I did not raise any false hopes.
You had helpers.