asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware of the growing anxiety among inshore fishermen because State-subsidised trawlers are encroaching on the free enterprise of these fishermen to the detriment of their livelihood; and, if so, if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Inshore Fishermen's Anxiety.
I presume that the question refers to the three vessels operated by An Bord Iascaigh Mhara. I am not aware that there exists among the general body of fishermen any such anxiety as he suggests. The fact is that the supply of fish from our present fleet of inshore boats is not, except at seasonal peaks, equal to the demand and prices have been good for a long time past for all varieties of good quality on offer from inshore fishermen. The three vessels in question are intended to supplement the catches of inshore fishermen, thus helping towards reducing the present need for fish imports, and their operations are governed by the policy that the interests of the inshore fishermen will be safeguarded.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that, when there is a glut of fish, the catches landed from State trawlers, that have all the resources of the State behind them, have priority in the market over and above the catches of the inshore fishermen who are engaged in private enterprise?
The board recognises that it has a responsibility in respect of the marketing of the inshore fishermen's catches and, where necessary, they hold back the catches of the boats operated by themselves, on the occasion of peak supplies, so that these catches will not interfere with the profitable marketing of the inshoremen's catches.
Am I to take it from the reply that the Parliamentary Secretary is guaranteeing that the inshore fishermen will be allowed to dispose of their fish in all cases before the catches of the State-sponsored trawlers are put on the market?
No. I am not giving any such guarantee. I am telling the Deputy that the board keeps in sufficiently close touch with the market to take whatever precautions are necessary to ensure that the catches of vessels operated by the board will not interfere with the profitable marketing of the inshoremen's catches.