asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware that there is a belief that it is now the policy of An Bord Iascaigh Mhara to repossess all fishing boats in respect of which hire-purchase agreement instalments are badly in arrears; that this is causing great anxiety and a general feeling of uncertainty and insecurity amongst fishermen; and that the hirers meeting the greatest difficulties are those working under hire-purchase agreements which did not come under the grant and low interest rate scheme; if he will consider taking steps to revise such agreements to enable such hirers to come under the scheme as from the original date of their agreements; if he intends receiving a deputation from the fishermen regarding the position; and if he will take steps to postpone any action for repossession of boats pending discussion with the fishermen.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fishing Boat Hire-Purchase Agreements.
Any fisherman who holds a fishing boat on hire-purchase from An Bord Iascaigh Mhara and is making a reasonably satisfactory effort to discharge his liability to the Board need not feel anxiety or insecurity. Under the Government's Programme of Sea Fisheries Development all hire-purcahse accounts for boats were revised from 1 April, 1962, and all hire purchasers have since had the benefit of the reduced interest rate and an extended repayment period. These terms were granted after careful and sympathetic consideration and, while I am always willing to receive deputations representing fishermen, I do not see much point in doing so in this instance. As I am satisfied that it is the Board's policy to terminate hire-purchase agreements only as a last resort, I do not propose to intervene in regard to resumption of possession of boats.