asked the Minister for Lands if, in view of the fact that fish transported to fishmeal plants are subsidised, he will consider the subsidisation of transport of fresh fish, thereby making it cheaper to the consumer and permitting a higher price to be paid to the fishermen; or alternatively if he will permit the haulage of fresh fish by private transport without the necessity for a road merchandise transport licence
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Transport of Fish.
49.
The cost of transport of fish for reduction to meal is paid from the Fishing Industry Development Fund so that fishermen may proceed to land substantial quantities in the knowledge that at least the full price payable by a fishmeal factory will be available to them at the point of landing. The bulk of the landings are, of course, sold for other purposes at higher prices and the income of the Fund would not be sufficient to meet all the transport costs.
Proposals for expenditure from the Fund are considered by a Committee which includes representatives of fishermen. I understand that a deputation from the Committee is to approach Córas Iompair Éireann to discuss problems in connection with the haulage of fish including the possibility of exemption from the restrictions imposed by the Road Transport Acts. I might add that fishermen and their co-operative societies and purchasers of fish do not require merchandise licences for the transport of their own fish in their own lorries.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary add his weight to that of the deputation to endeavour to persuade CIE to give better terms for the transport of fish?
I am doing that.