asked the Minister for Lands if he will state in regard to a reply of 15th May, 1957, regarding the Galway fish freezing plant what steps he has taken to secure the extra five tons of fish landed in order to make the plant an economic proposition.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Galway Fish Processing Plant.
74.
The reply mentioned by the Deputy indicated that a minimum of 25 tons of fish weekly would be required to enable the plant to operate economically but the quantity available during the two years to 31st March, 1962, averaged less than eight tons a week despite the efforts of An Bord Iascaigh Mhara. A substantial increase in landings is necessary to meet the demand for fresh fish and provide supplies for processing; steps towards that end are outlined in the Programme of Sea Fisheries Development published in April last.
On that date in May, 1957, it required only five tons a week to make it an economic proposition. Since then there has been an increase. I take it from the reply that the Minister has fallen down completely in this regard and that is the reason for the offering for resale of these——
There is no question at all of falling down on the matter. Supplies have increased and we hope will increase considerably more. The factory will remain open and I have given that assurance to the Deputy.
I am glad to hear it.
I gave him that assurance two weeks ago.
Do I take it that it will not be under the control of the Minister and will not be for fish only?
The Tánaiste has a few white elephants.
The Deputy is an expert on red herrings.
75.
asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware that his statement in the Dáil on 7th November that, if the Government were successful in getting a sound commercial undertaking to take over the Galway factory and run it as the Danes are running the one in Donegal, then there would be more employment and there would be a new life for the fishermen on the west coast of Ireland, has been construed as implying a reflection on the officials of An Bord Iascaigh Mhara; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
As explained in reply to a Question by Deputy Geoghegan on 7th November at Column 611 of the Official Report, the object is to transfer the fish-processing factories at Killybegs, Galway and Schull to private or co-operative enterprise if acceptable proposals are received and the underlying idea is to relieve An Bord Iascaigh Mhara, as far as practicable, of direct participation in commercial operations which can be effectively handled by private or co-operative interests and thus enable the Board to concentrate more intensively on development activities for the expansion of landings and sales of fish. It is hoped that the factories will be transferred to sound commercial undertakings and that they will operate successfully as a result of the expansion of landings in which the Board will play an important part. I do not see how this could be construed as implying a reflection on the Board's officials.
It implies that the fishermen are being handed over to the wholesale fishmongers.
It will be completely for fish if it is transferred?
It will be for fishmongers.
There will be more landings for fish processing in these factories.
There will be more?
Might I ask the Minister if it is proposed to operate these factories in the hands of the wholesale fishmongers, why it is not proposed to operate them in the hands of the fishermen's co-operatives prudently organised by An Bord Iascaigh Mhara?
There is no question of these factories being operated by any particular categories. The factories are on offer; they are not closing down.
And the wholesale fishmongers will get them because they subscribed to the Fianna Fáil funds. It is the most disgusting betrayal in the history of the country.
The Deputy is speaking from his own experience?
I am speaking from my own experience of you.
He cannot get away from it.
Ask your own supporters what they think of that sell-out. It is disreputable.