asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is aware of the need for dredging Roundstone Harbour, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Galway Harbours.
95.
Proposals for the dredging of Roundstone harbour in the light of recent and prospective developments in fishing activity at that port are being examined by my Department at present. Until that examination is completed I cannot say whether the extent of fishing activity at Roundstone would warrant the making of a grant from State funds towards the cost which would be involved in dredging the harbour.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary undertake to let me know when he receives that report?
Yes. We are awaiting the report from the Office of Public Works and we will take that report, together with the report on the fishing activity at Roundstone pier, and if it is determined that the fishing activity there has reached an extent which would warrant expenditure of departmental moneys then it will be sympathetically considered.
My question was whether the Parliamentary Secretary could facilitate me by letting me know when these reports come before him.
I will. I cannot say at present what money will be involved but if the amount is very big, of course——
The Parliamentary Secretary will appreciate that Deputies are in some difficulty with an answer like that because——
I have assured the Deputy that I will give him the information.
When the Parliamentary Secretary receives the reports he will let me know?
When I receive the reports.
96.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he has any plans for improvements to Galway harbour to facilitate the fishing vessels using that port.
Apart from proposals to increase berthage space at the "lay-by" for fishing vessels, I have no plans at present for improvement works at Galway harbour.
I understand that the Parliamentary Secretary recently received a deputation from interests in the harbour area and that it was pointed out to him that there was need for substantial improvements there, that there were certain difficulties between the fishermen and the harbour commissioners which are interfering with the prosperity of the fishing industry at the harbour. It was indicated that the Parliamentary Secretary was prepared to reconsider whether further developments would take place, other than the lay-by proposals which I understand are being surveyed. I am sure the Parliamentary Secretary is fully aware of the difficulty at Galway harbour. Does he feel that the lay-by proposals will be adequate to meet the real needs of the fishing industry there?
I regret that differences have arisen between the commissioners and the fishermen and I hope that the difficulties will be amicably resolved. Unfortunately, court proceedings were taken. I am not commenting on the justification for taking the proceedings. With the co-operation of the three Deputies from the constituency the Department and myself if at all possible will try to resolve or help to resolve the problems that have arisen between the commissioners and the fishermen. I would have no hesitation in going to Galway and meeting the three Deputies from the constituency and representatives from the harbour board and fishermen if we could try to resolve the questions that have arisen. We could also consider the question of a lay-by and other incidental questions that may arise. It is regrettable that this dispute exists.
The Parliamentary Secretary is probably aware that his Department promised some seven or eight months ago to try to call such a meeting and that no positive action seems to have been taken in the intervening period to bring about a settlement in this dispute. He can be assured of my co-operation in any moves he will take. The fishermen and the harbour commissioners are looking to the Parliamentary Secretary to take an initiative in this matter. The Parliamentary Secretary is fully aware of——
This is a long statement.
——where I stand on this issue, fearlessly on the side of the fishermen. I fear they are being done a grave injustice and it should not be allowed to continue. The Parliamentary Secretary should have taken an initiative long before now.
We have had discussions with the commissioners and with several people who made representations to me. As the Deputy knows, I have no compelling powers so far as the disposal of berthage at Galway harbour is concerned; that is a function of the commissioners. I had hoped to get this dispute resolved, if at all possible, outside the courts in an amicable way. I said to the representatives of the harbour commissioners and the representatives of the fishermen from Galway, that I would be only too pleased to go to Galway to help the local Deputies. When I arrange to go to Galway I will notify the three Deputies for the area of the date and time.
I urge the Parliamentary Secretary to call this meeting. What the Parliamentary Secretary has just said now was said months ago but that meeting was never called. The herring season is upon us and it is lost for this year and the inconveniences remain. For that reason I urge the Minister to call the meeting. This matter has been going on for seven months.
My recollection is that the State purchased some land in the harbour area specifically for the purpose of fishery-harbour development. If this is not going ahead what is to happen that particular site?
We will leave over all other questions on this matter until subsequent to the meeting in Galway.
The remaining questions will appear on next Tuesday's Order Paper.