asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if it is intended to increase fish landings on the Kerry coast by the establishment of modern processing plants and increasing the size of the fishing fleets.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Kerry Fishing Facilities.
83.
While I appreciate the Deputy's concern. I would like to remind him that an intention to increase fish landings on the Kerry coast cannot be isolated from overall plans for the development of Irish sea fisheries as a whole in accordance with the established programme.
The operation of an overall plan is essential at the present stage of development where at one end of the scale there is a need to conserve certain species to avoid overfishing and at the other the growing complexity of marketing arrangements. As regards the expansion aids mentioned by the Deputy, the establishment of processing plants in Kerry or elsewhere in the State is a matter in the first instance for private enterprise. Assistance is afforded by An Bord Iascaigh Mhara and the Industrial Development Authority in the establishment of such plants and grants are available for suitable projects.
Kerry fishermen, with the assistance of An Bord Iascaigh Mhara, are continuing to expand the local fishing fleet but it must be remembered that the fishermen are free agents and cannot be compelled to land into Kerry ports, particularly when it can be more profitable and convenient to land into other ports.