asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is aware of the congestion of fishing vessels at the lay-by in Galway harbour; and if he proposes carrying out any improvements to alleviate the position.
33.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Galway Harbour Facilities.
32.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is aware of the need for storage facilities for fishermen at Galway harbour; and if he proposes taking any action to improve the position.
With your permission, A Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 33 together.
The answer to the first part of each question is "yes".
Proposals for improving the facilities for fishing vessels at the lay-by in Galway harbour and for storage facilities for the fishermen are being examined in my Department at present.
A survey was carried out by engineers from the Office of Public Works of the lay-by in Galway. The Parliamentary Secretary must have that report for quite some time. It was done at the request of his predecessor.
The Deputy is making a statement.
Has the Parliamentary Secretary received the engineering report on the lay-by?
We received a report from the Office of Public Works in March last which indicated that the cost of this scheme would be in the region of £300,000. That is a big sum of money taking into account the fact that the scheme at Rossaviel is to go ahead after so many years at a cost of £400,000. It is proposed to examine the question in the light of factors that now arise before making any final decision.
So a decision will be made in the near future as to whether improvements will be carried out to the lay-by?
I would not say in the near future.
Is this matter being put on the long finger?
It has been put on the long finger by you people for many years.
That is not correct.
That is not true.
The Parliamentary Secretary cannot get away with that.
When the major scheme at Rossaviel is completed at a cost of in the region of £400,000, it will have a significant bearing on the position in Galway, as I am sure the Deputy is aware.
Question No. 34
If the Parliamentary Secretary is ever in Galway city he should have a look at this lay-by. Surely the Parliamentary Secretary, who is now responsible for fisheries, must be aware of the explosion which has taken place in the fishing industry in Galway in the past five or six months with the advent of herring fishing.
This is an abuse of Question Time.
I want to ask the Parliamentary Secretary if he is aware that the number of boats using Galway harbour has increased fourfold in the past few months and that this little lay-by, which is the only facility available to them in the area, is inadequate? There will be a fishery revolution in Galway if satisfactory facilities are not given to the fishermen for landing their fish.
I must call the next question. My ruling is not being obeyed by Deputy Molloy.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that in Galway Harbour, because of increased landing facilities, the fishermen are now tied up completely? Because of the fact that the mining people in Tynagh are using a store in the area which was traditionally used by fishermen, and because the harbour board have not facilitated the fishermen, will the Parliamentary Secretary take steps to see that they get the facilities they are asking for, because things are reaching——
The Deputy is making a statement.
There will be expenditure of £400,000 on Rossaviel harbour which is 12 miles from Galway according to my information.
How many miles?
We are assuming that a number of the fishing boats, especially those from the Aran Islands now being worked into Galway, will be transferred to Rossaviel when the major improvement works there are completed. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that the whole picture requires further examination.
I must intervene at this stage. The House agreed to take the questions tabled to the Minister for Foreign Affairs at this time.
Would you allow the Minister to deal with three more questions? I want to get to the West of Ireland.
Is the Minister for Foreign Affairs satisfied?
Yes.
Is it proposed to continue the Question Time until 5 p.m. ?
Question No. 34.