asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries why fishing vessels have been purchased outside the country which could be built in Ireland; and if he is fully satisfied with the method of financing these purchases.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Purchase of Fishing Vessels.
5.
As regards the first part of the question, the choice of a fishing vessel is entirely a matter for the purchaser. The grant and loan facilities available to fishermen for the purchase of fishing vessels are as attractive for Irish built vessels as they are for vessels built outside the country.
As regards the second part, the answer is "Yes".
Is the Minister aware that there is a good deal of concern about the fact that because we are getting a loan from a number of countries we have got to buy their boats and there can be no competition? It is said that the money has been got on favourable terms but I think the Minister will agree that it is easy enough to get money on favourable terms if there is no competition in the price of the boat, if you are tied to their boats?
No, I think this would be putting a wrong slant on it.
Maybe.
Let me say that I am concerned also. I do not think we should be buying boats from outside if, in fact, it is possible to provide them here but in so far as competition or lack of it is concerned, this is not quite the case, because there are agreements now of a somewhat similar nature with two continental countries and the value for money that is being offered in these boats from either of the two sources is regarded as fair and the provision of the loan money over a period during which the fishermen will pay it and the boat will be duly purchased is a facility and inducement. This money is being provided as a facility, as an inducement, but the basic thing is that the boats themselves are regarded as value for money. In that sense, people are not being pushed into giving any sort of price merely because if they buy from such a source, they will get the money on loan. That is not the case. There is value for money in the first instance. The facility of loans being available from those who provide the boats is undoubtedly an attraction to buy from those people rather than to buy from other people, but I would emphasise again that the prices of the boats are regarded as good value.
Does the Minister not agree that it is open to this sort of abuse because they are tied to going to them for money? There is no option. People cannot decide to buy boats in Ireland because no money is available to finance the loan. We are dependent on foreign finance for these boats.
It is not true that no money is available in Ireland for Irish-built boats. These facilities are additional to the facilities in Ireland to purchase Irish boats, if and when those boats are available.
The money is not provided in the Estimate.
Neither are these moneys.
No, because it is not necessary.