asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries why a person (name supplied) who did the skipper course in Galway has not been supplied with a boat by Bord Iascaigh Mhara, although the seven others who did the course have been supplied with boats.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Supply of Fishing Boat.
50.
I am informed by An Bord Iascaigh Mhara that in addition to the person named by the Deputy, three others of the nine who attended the course in Galway in the same year have not since been supplied with boats by the Board.
The Board explained to the fisherman named by the Deputy who wished to obtain facilities for the purchase of a new 65 foot fishing boat, that they did not regard his present experience as adequate for the control and management of a new boat having regard to its very high cost, but that they were prepared to arrange to provide him with a secondhand boat which would be far less costly. At one stage he had, in fact, made full arrangements with the Board to purchase such a vessel, but he subsequently withdrew from the arrangement. As recently as last month he agreed with the Board that what would suit him best would be a secondhand boat in good condition. The Board assured him that every effort would be made to provide him with a suitable boat with the least possible delay, and he was at the same time offered the use of another secondhand boat until a fully suitable one should be located. He has now sought once more to be supplied with a new vessel.
Is it to be assumed from the reply that this applicant is capable of handling a secondhand boat but is incapable of managing a new boat?
What I have said is that I have been informed by An Bord Iascaigh Mhara that this, that and the other things are so and that is what has been said.
The Minister has said that his Department and the Board do not regard this man's qualification to manage a new boat as up to the standard required by them but they are prepared to lay out money on the purchase of a secondhand boat and hand it over to this man who, according to the Minister's report, is incapable of managing it. Surely it is much easier to handle a new boat than a secondhand boat, just as it is much easier to manage a new car than a secondhand car? How does the Minister justify that decision?
How many Deputies on the opposite benches or even on this side learned to drive with their own new car?
Some of them did not even have to get a car. They were driven around from the earliest age.
Could I correct a misunderstanding by Deputy Murphy which is probably due to his not hearing me or not understanding me? The Deputy quoted me as saying that my Department and the Board had reached these conclusions. If the Deputy goes back on the reply, he will find it is based on information furnished by the Board in relation to a matter which it is their prerogative to administer and I have not made any such decision or any evaluation of this man's ability to handle a new or a secondhand boat.
Does the Minister agree with the recommendation? May I assume from his reply that it is quite all right so far as a secondhand boat is concerned, as it is not costing very much money and that the Board is providing him with a secondhand boat in order to enable him to learn how to manage it and acquire experience for skippering the new boat when it is provided? Surely that does not make sense?
It may sound funny. In the first place, this is not the Deputy's question——
(Interruptions.)
It does explain why he does not know what is asked in the question because the answer given answers the question fully and completely, and it is factual.
(Interruptions.)
The Fianna Fáil Deputy who asked the question is not present to pursue it.
I am only suggesting that the reason the Deputy did not understand the reply is that he did not put down the question.
Finally, would the Minister tell us what is the cost of the new boat and the cost of the secondhand boat?
It all depends on the size of the boat and what sort of engine is in it.
(Interruptions.)
Would the Minister say if the skipper referred to was successful in pursuing the course he attended?
He was.
I am not being unfair to the House. I have given the information sought fully and completely, and it is factual.
Was this man passed from the Galway course?
This matter has been discussed ad nauseam. The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.