asked the Minister for Lands the annual cost to the State of the subsidy which enables fish to be delivered for fishmeal processing free of transport charges; and if he will outline the method whereby this subsidy is administered and paid.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Subsidised Deliveries to Fishmeal Factories.
26.
The transport of fish is not subsidised by the State but early this year it was decided to pay, from the Fishing Industry Development Fund for a trial period, the vouched cost of transporting any varieties of fish from any part of the State to a fishmeal factory provided that (1) the fish is landed by genuinely Irish boats registered in the State and (2) the quantity to be transported on any occasion is at least seven tons and (3) the transport is carried out by Córas Iompair Éireann or similar public undertakings.
It is a matter for the fishermen concerned to arrange for the sale of the fish to the fishmeal factory and for the necessary transport.
The transport of fish under this arrangement did not commence until September last and, while all the necessary vouchers have not yet been received, the expenditure so far incurred is estimated at £2,000.
I might add that information about the Fishing Industry Development Fund and the advisory committee in connection with it is given in paragraph 22 of the White Paper "Programme of Sea Fisheries Development" published in April last.