asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he was aware that the weather forecasting service given by the Meteorological Office was of little value to Irish fishermen who depended on the BBC for this essential service; and if he would take steps to improve the service considerably.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Weather Forecasting Service.
4.
I am not so aware. In fact no complaints regarding the weather forecasting service have been made to my Department or the Fisheries Division of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. In this connection, I should mention that in the most recent instruction issued by my Department regarding weather information services for shipping including fishing vessels comments on the efficiency of these services or suggestions for their improvement were invited. If suggested improvements to the service are submitted to me I will have them examined as sympathetically as possible.
Would the Minister not agree that the Irish Naval Service, the Irish Air Corps and the Irish fishing fleet and all Irish yachtsmen rely completely upon weather forecasts from the BBC for weather conditions at sea?
I do not accept that for one instant. That simply is not true.
The Minister must be aware that the Irish Naval Service depends upon the BBC weather forecasts for weather conditions at sea and that practically every fishing vessel turns on for the BBC weather forecast before putting to sea?
The Deputy is making a global statement.
I am saying what I know to be true.
All reports naturally enough are utilised by naval services and fishermen at sea. That is part of international behaviour at sea.
(Interruptions.)
Are we to understand from the Minister that the Deputy is not telling the truth in his Question?
It is completely misinformed.
How could that happen?