asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries what programme of conservation of fisheries his Department has drawn up in connection with Ireland's entry to the EEC; and how much money has been allocated to same.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Membership of EEC.
27.
It has always been the policy of my Department to take such measures as are needed to conserve fish stocks and it is fully aware of the dangers of over-exploitation. The question of conservation is, therefore, kept constantly under review. A comprehensive review of the situation has been in progress for some time in consultation with representatives of the fishermen but has not yet been completed.
Could the Minister say when he will be in a position to tell us if he has a conservation policy which is vital more now than ever before? How much money is he prepared to allocate to that scheme? He did not answer that part of the question.
I doubt if the Deputy grasped the import of the reply I have given.
The Deputy grasped it just as did the House. The reply meant nothing.
It is this: that conservation is a matter that is constantly kept under surveillance. It is not something you start on Monday and finish on Friday. Conservation of our fish stocks goes on continuously. It is kept under constant surveillance by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. This process, in consultation with the fishermen who are so intimately involved, is at the moment in progress.
Is the Minister aware that what he has said is utterly absured and that under the much talked of Fishery Regulation it is essential that we should now draw up a proper and adequate conservation policy in relation to our fisheries? That is the purpose of Deputy Begley's question. I suggest the Minister should direct some attention to that instead of indulging in vapourings here.
Deputy O'Higgins' remarks do not affect the veracity of the reply that I have given.
Which is nothing.
Conservation is a matter of continuous vigilance and improvements, the end product being the preservation of our fish stocks. We are constantly engaged in obtaining this by the best possible means.
Can the Minister indicate, for instance, whether the thinking on conservation at the moment is in relation to particular types of fish, particular types of net, particular sizes of mesh, or what is it?
All these. Every factor involved in the conservation of the species and of the stocks is embraced in the conservation thinking of the Department.
The Minister may possibly get a clap on the back from some civil servant in his Department for that nonsensical reply but it means nothing.
The Minister did not answer the second part of my question. I asked him how much money was allocated for conservation and he has denied that information to the House. Surely I am entitled to get that information?
That is a matter for the Minister.
The Deputy asked that in his question. The Minister has not referred to it.
I suggest the Deputy should look at the current Book of Estimates.
(Interruptions.)
Order.
Surely Deputy Begley is within his rights in indicating to the Minister that he has tabled a question which has been allowed by the Chair asking how much money has been allocated for conservation? This has not been referred to in the reply and certainly the Minister is under an obligation to give that information.
The Minister has civil servants to do the work. We cannot be looking up every Book of Estimates.
There is no obligation on the Chair.
The question has been allowed by the Chair.
Yes, but the reply is a different matter.
It means the Minister does not know how much money has been allocated for conservation.
The Minister does not know what is going on in his own Department.
Question No. 28.