asked the Minister for Lands the reasons why it was necessary for An Bord Iascaigh Mhara to re-possess half of the fishing fleet at Skerries and Balbriggan during the past four years, the cost price of each boat re-possessed, the amount repaid in each case, and the balance due for each boat on the date when possession was taken by An Bord Iascaigh Mhara from the skippers concerned.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Skerries and Balbriggan Fishing Fleets.
26.
It is quite incorrect to suggest that An Bord Iascaigh Mhara have repossessed half of the fishing fleet at Skerries and Balbriggan. My reply to a recent Question by the Deputy showed that there are eleven boats at present in operation on hire purchase from the Board at Balbriggan, Skerries and Loughshinney. There are, of course, several other boats in the fishing fleet which are not on hire purchase. The only boats repossessed by the Board in that area during the past four years were three based on Skerries. It would not be proper to disclose details of private transactions between the Board and hire purchasers. It is well known, however, that the Board do not repossess boats if the hire purchasers are satisfactorily discharging their obligations.