asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will make provision for the supply of petrol at a reduced price to drift net salmon fishermen.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fishermen's Petrol Supplies.
36.
Following full consideration in my Department of an application made on behalf of drift net salmon fishermen for the supply of petrol at a reduced rate, it was decided not to grant the concession sought.
Not to grant the concession?
Yes.
I am concerned mainly about the Youghal salmon fishermen. Would the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that, in view of the increased cost of fuel, gear and other expenditure in relation to the fishing industry, it is high time some scheme was considered by him and his Department to alleviate the position of the fishermen in that area? Indeed, having regard to the representations which have been made——
The Deputy will appreciate that we cannot have an argument in favour of or against a question at Question Time.
What are questions for, then?
I hope what I have been trying to say is relevant to my question and the answer given by the Parliamentary Secretary.
What the Deputy is doing at present is making an argument.
I am asking that a scheme should be devised whereby these——
I am sure the Deputy appreciates that what he is doing is making a suggestion as to what should be done.
The Deputy is eliciting information as he is entitled to do.
I want the fishermen treated the same as our farmers in relation to diesel fuel. That is what I am asking.
The position is that for the 1974 season the value of the salmon catch was £2.49 million which was a sizeable figure taking into account the number of drift net and draft net licences issued. From such figures we can deduce that it was a very lucrative undertaking in 1974. So far as the Department and the boards are concerned, the worry is to deal with applications from people who feel they should get additional licences to move into this field of activity. Unfortunately, many such applications are well founded but by virtue of the conservation measures and the limits on the number of licences issued, they cannot be acceded to. Therefore, mainly—so far as salmon is concerned—all the representations and agitation centre on the one side on the availability of more licences and on the other on stricter conservation measures. That is the net position but there is no justification whatsoever for a subsidy such as that sought by the Deputy.
My question was directed towards petrol and fuel not towards the number of licences available. I am sure the Parliamentary Secretary is well aware at present in Youghal and in other areas where there is salmon fishing the catches are absolutely nil. These people are going out each week expending money on fuel while the returns are minimal if not nil.
Question No. 37.
The factual position is that salmon fishermen in Ireland last year caught £2.49 million worth.
We are talking about this year not last year.
That was for 1974. The season is only just under way. The Deputy does not appear to know when the salmon season starts or finishes.
I am quite well aware of the fact because I know more about it than the Parliamentary Secretary.
The Parliamentary Secretary turned his back on it.
(Interruptions.)
Question No. 37.
The figures available are for 1974 and I gave such figures to indicate the value of the fishery. Also I mentioned the number of licences to give a global indication of the number of people who will benefit.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that fuel costs have risen by anything up to 100 per cent in the last 12 months.
I think everybody is aware of that fact.