asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries when it is proposed to commence the construction of a fisheries research station in County Galway.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fisheries Research Station.
39.
The feasibility of siting a field station for fisheries research on the Galway/Mayo coast is being examined in my Department.
When was this feasibility study begun?
Within the past two months.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that during the time we were in office an instruction was issued for such a study to commence? It is surprising now to learn that the study only commenced within the past two months.
I am aware that when the previous Government were in office they changed their minds every other year on this question.
That is not true.
They would make one decision today and another tomorrow.
Let us have details of changes made in relation to decisions.
Deputies must not enter into the realm of argument.
To put it briefly, during Fianna Fáil's term of office one decision contradicted another.
Bluff.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary say whether, although a site close to Galway city was found to be unsuitable, another along the Galway coast was considered to be suitable, that the officers of the Department were instructed to find a site for the research station but were not to accede to the views of Dr. Went who wanted it located in Kinsale?
The Deputy must not refer by name in this House to officials. Question No. 40.
The Chair is protecting the Parliamentary Secretary by not allowing him to reply.
All the advice available to the Department had to be taken into consideration but this was contrary to the views expressed by Deputy Molloy. Earlier the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries accepted that advice but, possibly, for a political or some other type of motive which is not clearly apparent from the files, the decision was changed. We must examine the question factually before deciding what is best in the interest of the nation and not in the interest of any party.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary——
I have given the Deputy full latitude on this matter but he has been engaging in deliberate argument.
This is a very important matter. One final supplementary, please—would the Parliamentary Secretary state whether the Government and the officials of the Department are rejecting the scientific views expressed by Professor Keady of UCG?
The Deputy should not refer to personalities here. I have warned him already of this.
It is our stated aim to give as much information as possible at Question Time.
When does the Parliamentary Secretary intend beginning to do that?
We have taken certain action on this question which we regard to be quite important.
That is not an answer.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary answer the question?
The Chair has called Question No. 40.
Just as well you did, a Cheann Comhairle.
We might as well all go home. The Parliamentary Secretary should resign.