asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he has received an assessment of the damage caused by recent storms to fishing craft and fishing gear on the Donegal coast; and if he has yet formulated any scheme to compensate the fishermen concerned for the losses sustained.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Damage to Fishing Gear.
94.
The information available to my Department indicates that the damage to fishing boats and fishing gear on the Donegal coast as a result of recent storms was not extensive. I do not propose to introduce a compensation scheme as suggested.
May I have the permission of the House to clear the last few questions down to the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries?
If they were not answered today would it mean we would start off with Agriculture and Fisheries next week?
Perhaps.
We are agreeable to that.
The Parliamentary Secretary stated that the damage to fishing boats and fishing gear was not extensive but surely that is not a reason for victimising those who suffered severe damage. Would the Parliamentary Secretary agree that the people who have been deprived absolutely of their means of livelihood by the loss of uninsured boats should get some consideration from the people responsible to enable them to go back into the business again?
As Deputy Brennan is aware, Bord Iascaigh Mhara have indicated that a full assessment of damage to fishing boats and gear as a result of the recent storm would take some time to complete. The Deputy is aware also, that all boats financed by the bord are insured and that all boats could have, and most of them have, insurance policies against storm damage. I assume that the insurance cover that it available in the normal way to owners of fishing boats of any size will cover the cost of repairs in most cases. The only people who will be excluded are ones who did not go to the trouble of taking out an insurance policy against such damage. Our information is that the number is small, that the damage to such boats is small and there is no State scheme to help them. I do not see how the State could propose a scheme to help people who did not help themselves and failed to get insurance on their boats.
Must second-hand boats on which BIM have paid some form of grant necessarily be insured?
All boats financed in any way by BIM must be insured.
I take it the Parliamentary Secretary is aware that there are certain anchorages, around the coast of Donegal particularly and perhaps elsewhere, where due to the past record of damage in storms insurance companies refuse to cover boats. The particular place I have in mind is Glengad. Has the Parliamentary Secretary a record of damage during the recent storm to boats that were not insured through no fault of the owners but because no insurance company would take them?
I will have a look at the position again but I am afraid it is impossible to devise a State scheme whereby compensation will be payable to boat owners whose boats were damaged and were not insured. Deputy Blaney has mentioned difficulties about securing insurance on the part of some boat owners. If he will give me further information I will have a look at that position.