asked the Minister for Lands when it is proposed to provide a quick freezing plant at Dingle, as stated by him to the fishermen at a public meeting in Dingle on 29th June, 1957.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dingle Quick Freezing Plant.
48.
The provision of a quick freezing plant at Dingle is a matter for An Bord Iascaigh Mhara and is receiving the constant attention of the board in the light of the landings of fish at Dingle and elsewhere. It must be left to the board to decide when to proceed with the project.
Is it proposed to wait until there are sufficient landings of fish at Dingle to justify the erection of a deep freeze plant, because that suggests that the fishermen must dump fish to rot at Dingle for a protracted period before the plant will be constructed? Are we to ask them for six months to encumber the pier at Dingle with a rotting mass of mackerel in order to carry conviction to An Bord Iascaigh Mhara that if there were a deep freeze plant there, the mackerel would not rot?
I am sure An Bord Iascaigh Mhara would take action long before there was any question of the constant dumping of large quantities of fish. However, during the year 1958, on account of weather and other conditions, there was great difficulty in supplying fish both here and also by near water and inshore vessels operating off certain parts of the British coast. Therefore, the question has not arisen, but it would be the policy of An Bord Iascaigh Mhara not to await a situation such as the Deputy has described.
What have they done in Dunmore?
May we take it if there is a fishing potential clearly visible at Dingle, deep freeze facilities will be provided in order to exploit that potential?
Certainly.