asked the Minister for Lands what is the present procedure followed by any person or body wishing to import fish; and what persons or bodies are entitled at present to import fish.
61.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fishing Industry.
60.
asked the Minister for Lands if he will consider appointing An Bord Iascaigh Mhara as the sole authority importing fish; and, if not, whether he will give the reasons why he will not do so.
62.
asked the Minister for Lands the amount per stone of the levy on fresh fish, and the amount to date accrued from such levy.
63.
asked the Minister for Lands if he will state in detail the functions of the Fishing Industry Development Committee; when it was set up, and the names and qualifications of its present members; whether it is a statutory body; and the method of appointment of its members.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 60 to 63 together to avoid repetition and overlapping.
I presume the Deputy is referring only to fresh or forzen demersal or white fish such as plaice and cod.
To import such fish a licence under the Fish (Regulation of Import) (No. 2) Order, 1938, is required and must be sought from my Department. In practice licences are issued only to recognised auctioneers of such fish to meet demand when home landings are inadequate.
I am not prepared to confine licences to An Bord Iascaigh Mhara as there are other recognised auctioneers.
There is no levy on such fish but in January, 1959, the licensing arrangements were revised to facilitate purchase abroad to better advantage and the importers agreed to make voluntary contributions at the rate of 3s. 6d. a stone into a fund known as the Fishing Industry Development Fund. From the accrued contributions, sums totalling almost £30,000 have been invested in 6 per cent National Loan and a balance of nearly £12,000 is held on deposit account but there are commitments to make various payments.
Moneys to credit of this Fund are spent for the benefit of the fishing industry as directed by me after consultation with representatives of importers, retailers and fishermen. These representatives, who are generally nominated by their organisations, and officers of my Department meet as an informal advisory committee known as the Fishing Industry Development Committee which came into being in January, 1959. As membership of the committee is in a representative capacity and frequently changes, there is no formal roll of members but I could supply a list of those present at the latest meeting if desired by the Deputy.