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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 4 Jun 1958

Vol. 168 No. 9

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Escallop Processing in Galway.

asked the Minister for Lands why escallop processing is not being carried out by An Bord Iascaigh Mhara this season in their Galway factory; and whether it is intended to resume this activity there in future seasons.

The market for processed escallops, which is mainly in France, was virtually closed this season. It is hoped to resume escallop processing at Galway in future seasons.

Is it not a fact that one of the promises made by the Minister was that the processing of escallops would be continued in the new factory in Galway. Instead of that it was left to private individuals in Dublin. As a result 12 people who formerly got good seasonal employment in Galway are out of work.

The Deputy's information is completely wrong. The suspension was due to the stoppage of the French market and the difficulty of reestablishing it.

Is it not a fact that last year An Bord Iascaigh Mhara discontinued the processing of scallops?

The Deputy knows nothing about the escallop business.

The Minister gave me to understand that as soon as the new factory was opened he would transfer the processing from the old factory to the new. We will have to accept the Minister's statement that the French market was not open but I should like to know if the Minister has made any move in the last month.

I understand that the board tried to reopen the market and the escallops were not then available.

The escallop season starts in January and you could not expect men to start in May for only three or four weeks. They should have started in January. The Minister should not give contradictory replies.

I am not giving contradictory replies.

The Minister's reply of the 15th May, 1957, is on the records of the House.

I would not advise the Deputy to get into the escallop business.

I know more about it than the Minister does. I am from a seafaring town.

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