asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state whether the recent public reference to the provision from the National Development Fund of additional money for the provision of fishing boats refers to the scheme drawn up earlier this year for the allocation without pre-payment of ten boats to selected crews who habitually speak the Irish language; and, if so, if he will ensure that the Fíor-Ghaeltacht character of the scheme will be preserved.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Provision of Fishing Boats.
The answer to the first part of the Deputy's question is in the affirmative, and as to the second part I take this opportunity of stating, as some misunderstanding seems to exist on the point, that the scheme is intended as a sound economic contribution towards maintaining the Gaeltacht as well as a step towards strengthening the fishing industry. The scope of the scheme will accordingly be strictly limited to the supply of boats and the necessary fishing gear to Irish-speaking fishermen resident in the Fíor-Ghaeltacht.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary say what the provision is? The number of boats envisaged is ten? There was a specified number of boats under the scheme, is not that so?
Approximately.