andMr. Begley asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the number of trawlers registered in the Republic of Ireland using either the decca navigation system or radar navigation; and the number of trawlers using neither system.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Trawler Navigation.
41.
Arrangements for these installations are made privately between the fishermen and the suppliers of the equipment. To the best of my knowledge the statistics sought by the Deputies are not collected by any official agency.
Would the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries consider ascertaining these figures so that we might know of the trawlers that are so equipped? Would he consider also giving a grant towards the installation of this equipment? This would result in much greater catches by our Irish fishermen.
The Deputy is aware that so far as the decca equipment is concerned, this is only available at the moment on the east coast and on part of the north coast. We are making arrangements to have it made available also on the west coast.
The reason why the Deputy included radar is that he happens to know that radar is being used on the west coast to allow trawlers to fish in the same parts as in previous days. I wonder if grants could be made available for this equipment.