asked the Minister for Lands the total quantity of fish purchased by An Bord Iascaigh Mhara for the processing plants at (a) Killybegs, County Donegal and (b) Galway, and in each case the percentage of whiting purchased in relation to the overall landings at the port during the past two years.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fish Processing Plants.
37.
During the two years to 31st March, 1962, the total quantity of fish purchased by An Bord Iascaigh Mhara for processing at their local factories was 48,632 cwt. at Killybegs and 16,211 cwt. at Galway. The whiting included in these figures in relation to the overall landings of whiting at the port represented 43 per cent. at Killybegs and 51 per cent. at Galway.
Would I be correct in saying that unless this outlet for surplus had been made available, the existence of this surplus would have had a catastrophic effect on the overall price obtainable for landings by Irish fishermen?
I can assure the Deputy that the outlets will be maintained.
That is not what I am asking. I am asking the Parliamentary Secretary whether the existence of these outlets for surplus fish, in fact, operated to prevent a catastrophic fall in the total catches of Irish fishermen if such outlets for surplus fish had not existed.
That is a hypothetical question but I can assure the Deputy that the outlets will be maintained.
The Parliamentary Secretary is not equipped to answer the question. His Minister should see that he is so equipped.
Is it a fact that the high percentage of whiting purchased in relation to the overall landing at the ports has been caused by the Minister for Defence withdrawing whiting from tender for the supply of fish to the Army?
That is a matter for the Minister for Defence.
It is something the Minister or the Parliamentary Secretary should look into.
Will the Deputy put down a question about it?
Why are tenders no longer being sought for it?
38.
asked the Minister for Lands what proportion of the losses on the operation of fish-processing factories owned by An Bord Iascaigh Mhara is attributed to (a) lack of continuity of fish supplies, and (b) siting of factories resulting in additional costs for raw material and other working costs.
I understand from An Bord Iascaigh Mhara that the losses on the operation of their fish processing factories are attributed almost entirely to lack of supplies of fish at prices which would be economic for processing.
39.
asked the Minister for Lands the maximum number of employees engaged in the fish processing plants at (a) Killybegs, County Donegal, and (b) Galway.
The number of employees engaged has reached a maximum of 77 at Killybegs and 27 at Galway.