Vol. 196 No. 1
I move:
That a sum not exceeding £253,830 be granted to complete the sum necessary to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1963, for Salaries and Expenses in connection with Sea and Inland Fisheries, including sundry Grants-in-Aid.
The net total of £380,730 in the Estimate for Fisheries shows an increase of approximately £65,000 on the sum voted last year, the main increases being under the subheads providing for salaries and for contributions to the Inland Fisheries Trust and to the Salmon Conservancy Fund.
As indicated in the reports published half yearly, progress has been made on many fronts in the implementation of the Programme for Economic Expansion in so far as it relates to fisheries. For instance, the initial five-year angling development plan proved so successful that it is being followed by another five-year plan financed entirely from the Fisheries Vote. On the sea fisheries side progress has been less satisfying and an upsurge is really needed. For this reason a Programme of Sea Fisheries Development was outlined in the Government White Paper published in April last. This intensified programme envisages encouragement, advice and guidance to the men already engaged in fishing; attracting and training vigorous and ambitious young men; a new deal for existing purchasers of fishing boats, grants for re-engining boats, increased grants for new boats and hire-purchase facilities at the reduced 4 per cent. interest rate for second-hand boats; development of fishery harbours; intensified market development at home and abroad; and expansion of exploratory and research work.
The over-all aim is to stimulate the development of the sea fishing industry so that it will more rapidly and effectively contribute to the expansion of the national economy.
Before referring to the more important details of the Estimate, it may be helpful to give some statistical and general information about sea fisheries.
The catch declined in 1961 when the value of landings of all varieties of sea fish—including shellfish but excluding salmon—amounted to £1,357,00. The decrease is attributable mainly to the prolonged periods of unfavourable fishing weather; fishing for herring and shellfish was particularly affected in this way and the reduction in the value of landings of these varieties more than accounted for the over-all drop. There was little change in landings of demersal or white fish, the most important varieties in order of value being whiting, plaice, cod, ray or skate and haddock as in previous years; in order of quantity, ray or skate took second to whiting followed by plaice, cod and haddock.
I am glad to say that results so far in 1962 are an improvement on 1961. The value of landings of all varieties of sea fish for the first four months shows an increase of £37,000 on the figure for the same period of 1961.
As might be expected from the reductions in landings, the value of exports of fish—excluding salmon and freshwater fish—decreased from the record total of £1,107,000 in 1960 to £744,000 in 1961. As in the case of landings, the trend so far this year in these exports is, I am glad to say, more favourable, the value for the first quarter being £256,000, an increase of £46,000 on the figure for the corresponding period of 1961.
The development of the processing side of the fishing industry depends primarily on the achievement of increased landings. It is scarcely necessary to say that the level of last year's catch was not conducive to expansion of output of processed products. There have, however, been some encouraging developments. During the past winter herring season, some of the principal fish processing firms and An Bord Iascaigh Mhara came together as the Irish Herring Export Group with the object of producing processed herring of top quality in sufficient volume to secure an established footing in foreign markets. Initial results have been promising, the total output of the group valued at some £34,000 having been disposed of in continental markets. For the next season markets are already being sought and plans are being made to process in greater volume.
With a view to encouraging increased participation in fish smoking by our processors, a series of demonstrations, organised by An Bord Iascaigh Mhara in co-operation with the Fisheries Division, were given in March by a Dutch expert. Hot and cold smoking of eels, herring, mackerel and rainbow trout in a specially designed kiln was demonstrated to representatives of the fish processing trade. I hope that, as a result of these successful demonstrations, smoking of fish will be undertaken here on a greater scale both for the home and export markets.
In the Estimate, provision is made for the annual grant-in-aid of administration expenses and development projects of An Bord Iascaigh Mhara. The estimated amount is £160,000. In addition, repayable advances up to £220,000 have been authorised for the current year from the Central Fund; as usual, the advances are mainly intended for financing the provision of boats and gear for fishermen. Sixteen new boats were issued by the Board to hire purchasers during the year ended 31st March, 1962; four of these —three 56 footers and one 50 footer— were over 25 tons gross but, as the vessels in that category in 1961 numbered only 173, there is considerable scope for expansion of the fleet.
As the estimate was framed before the proposals in the Programme of Sea Fisheries Development were adopted by the Government, it will become necessary later to increase the grant-in-aid to meet additional expenditure arising from the improved State subventions for which the Programme provides. Perhaps it would be convenient for Deputies if I recall briefly the revised conditions applying to the purchase of fishing boats from the beginning of April last:—
(1) All accounts for boats then on hire purchase have been recast; the repayment period has been extended by up to five years and the rate of interest has been reduced to 4 per cent.
(2) An additional financial incentive is available for those who complete their repayments in less than the extended period now allowed; up to 10 per cent. of the initial cost of a boat may be refunded to a purchaser, depending on how fast he clears his debt.
(3) Capital grants for new boats are now at the rate of 25 per cent. of the cost; the repayment period is 15 years, the interest rate is 4 per cent. and the incentive refund up to 10 per cent. of the cost applies on early completion of repayment.
(4) Grants of 25 per cent. of the approved cost of installing new engines are being awarded.
(5) Hire purchase facilities, including interest at 4 per cent., are available for suitable second-hand boats.
In addition to administering these vastly improved financial facilities, An Bord Iascaigh Mhara will develop a speedy repair system and an inspection service for all boats on hire-purchase. Regular inspections of boats' engines and machinery and an organisation equipped to carry out prompt repairs and provide urgent replacements are important factors in ensuring that the fisherman is enabled to work at maximum efficiency. Too many idle days have been caused by mechanical breakdowns. The Board are preparing a scheme of organisation to extend their existing service and make it fully effective.
An Bord Iascaigh Mhara will also develop an advisory service to improve fishing techniques and promote co-operation among fishermen. It is proposed to organise a field service for the fishermen analogous to the agricultural advisory service. Trained men located around the coast would be charged with the responsibility of winning the confidence of fishermen so as to impart up-to-date advice on fishing methods, fishing grounds and other matters ancillary to the improvement of the production end of the industry. The Board are working on detailed proposals with a view to initiating this service.
An Bord Iascaigh Mhara will also undertake a market development programme. To improve distribution and encourage increased consumption of fish at home, market development will, as the White Paper states, be an important function of the Board during the next few years but, as private and co-operative interests become geared so that they can adequately and competitively meet the demand, the Board will withdraw from participation. An assessment of fish distribution will be undertaken to determine how orderly development and gradual withdrawal by the Board can best be organised. This assessment is already under way.
Notice taken that 20 Members were not present; House counted and 20 Members being present,
In order to encourage selected retailers throughout the country to stock supplies of fresh and processed fish, An Bord Iascaigh Mhara will provide help and advice towards suitable structural alterations and the provision of equipment. The Board are at present examining the nature of the help and advice which they can most appropriately and effectively provide.
There is great scope for development of profitable export markets for fish in a variety of forms. In this highly specialised field An Bord Iascaigh Mhara can advantageously supplement the promotional activities of Córas Tráchtála, encourage co-operation among exporters, prescribe standards of quality, organise bulk purchases of processing materials and co-ordinate bulk exports. The value of co-operation on these lines has been demonstrated by the operations of the Irish Herring Export Group in recent months. It will be an increasingly important function of An Bord Iascaigh Mhara to assist in the promotion of exports and the development of markets abroad.
As a result of the grants, incentives and further activities of An Bord Iascaigh Mhara which I have outlined, the catching side of the industry will have every opportunity of successful expansion. The market development programme, in conjunction with the activity of the private trade in the selling sphere, should ensure a further expansion in fish sales.
It is essential that An Bord Iascaigh Mhara be adequately geared to play an important role in the intensified development programme. To that end, a necessary re-organisation of the Board will shortly be undertaken.
In order to obtain maximum benefit from the various schemes designed to improve the catching side of the industry it will be essential to have fully-trained personnel manning our fishing fleet in the future. The important part that the schemes for training fishermen as skippers and boys as fishermen must play in the future expansion of the industry cannot be over-emphasised. Some progress has been made in this field but much more is needed if properly trained personnel are to be recruited for the successful operation of the expensive vessels and gear now at their disposal on generous grant and repayment terms. As full-time fishermen last year numbered only 1,631, every effort must be made to arouse greater interest in these training facilities.
Under the scheme for training fishermen as skippers, twenty fishermen have so far completed the course. A further ten men are at present undergoing theoretical training at Galway and will later take the examination for certificates of competency under the Merchant Shipping Acts. I am confident that, in the light of the new deal outlined in the recent White Paper and the generous allowances payable to trainees, the response to this scheme will continue to grow. No other career affords an opportunity of securing possession of a chattel valued at £15,000 on making a prepayment as low as £750 and with the aid of grants of £3,750 immediately and £1,500 within ten years as well as a subsidised interest rate. The advisory service to which I have already referred will also be available to improve fishing techniques.
A regular inflow of vigorous young men over the next few years is a fundamental need if we are to bring about the required rise in the landings of fish. An interesting, healthy and remunerative career is offered to new recruits. I feel that, if potential candidates come to realise the prospects now offering in the industry, they will not hesitate to come forward. I would greatly welcome any assistance Deputies, and, indeed, other persons in a position to influence youths, can give in encouraging boys to examine seriously the advantages of taking up a sea-fishing career.
Under the scheme for training boys as fishermen, youths over sixteen years of age without previous sea-fishing experience are paid allowances while in training. These allowances have now been increased to £5 a week which, I am sure Deputies will agree, is a very generous payment to a boy of 16 who needs no previous experience of the work. Eighteen boys recruited under the scheme have already progressed to the status of full crew members and are remunerated on the basis of shares of the net proceeds of their boats' catches; sixteen others are at various stages of training. Boys have again been invited recently to apply for training and arrangements are being made to interview eligible applicants at centres convenient to them as soon as practicable. There is still room for further candidates and, even though the closing date announced has passed, if boys who are interested apply immediately a special effort will be made to include them among those who are about to be interviewed.
Preliminary work for the development of major fishery harbours is progressing at Killybegs, Castletownbere, Passage East, Howth and Galway. For Killybegs, alternative forms of constructional work are being considered in the light of pricings received from specialist firms. Borings are in hand at Castletownbere and Galway and will shortly be commenced at Howth. A hydraulic survey at Passage East disclosed unexpectedly unfavourable velocities and turbulence of currents and waves. Further technical investigations, which are in progress under the guidance of the original consultant, will have to be completed before a firm decision can be reached for development of a fishery harbour in the south-east. Legislation will be needed to provide for acquisition of necessary property and for control and maintenance of these major fishery harbours and I hope to be in a position to introduce a Bill in the next session.
Other fishery harbours at which improvement works are in progress include Greencastle, County Donegal, and Clogherhead, County Louth. Proposals for the improvement of various landing places around the coast are also being considered.
I regret to say that no recent progress has been made towards international agreement on the extension of exclusive fishery limits. We are, however, continuing to seek every possibility of establishing an international rule of law which will recognise extended fishery limits.
