asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the extent to which An Bord Iascaigh Mhara assisted fishermen in acquiring boats in 1973: whether they provide assistance to fishing co-operatives and coastal fishery distribution centres at fishing ports; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fishery Industry Assistance.
23.
The information sought in the first part of the question is not readily available in respect of the calendar year 1973 but I propose to furnish it in respect of the board's financial year 1973-74 from 1st April, 1973 to 31st March, 1974. In that year grants totalling £386,500 and loans totalling £1,276,000 were provided by An Bord Iascaigh Mhara to fishermen for the acquisition of boats. Financial assistance is available from the board to fishing co-operatives and coastal traders for the construction of certain types of fish handling facilities and resource development. I will be glad to supply the Deputy with any further information he requires in regard to the board's services.
Is there any assistance available from EEC sources to enable fishermen to purchase vessels?
That seems to be a separate question.
It is a separate question. Undoubtedly the EEC comes into the picture very much but I doubt if it would be to the benefit of potential boat buyers.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware or is he not that there is assistance available from EEC sources?
Any assistance that is available from the EEC will be granted in accordance with the regulations laid down by them which may not be as favourable as the regulations now obtaining.
Were applications made to the EEC for grants for the fishing industry through the Parliamentary Secretary's Department or through any other Department?
That is a separate question.
We are in regular communication with the EEC to try to get any help we possibly can.
Could we have details of the ways?
Question No. 25.
If the Deputy will put down a question seeking the details I will give him the answer.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that assistance available to fishermen for the purchase of vessels from EEC sources is confined to fishing vessels with a steel hull and that no such vessels are manufactured in this country?
There is no reference to the EEC in this question.
This operates to the disadvantage of Irish shipyards in which timber hulled boats are made.
If the Deputy puts down a question I will give him the answer.
Did the Parliamentary Secretary deal with the matter of co-operatives and coastal fishery distribution centres at fishing ports as distinct from the purchase of boats?