asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the action he has taken to resolve the problems of the Greencastle fishermen, County Donegal, whose boats were damaged by incendiary bombs some months ago; and if he will make a statement in the matter.
Ceiseanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Damage to Donegal Boats.
24.
No approach has been made to me by any of the Greencastle fishermen arising out of the incident referred to by the Deputy but I understand that a number of them have lodged claims for compensation under the malicious injuries code. An Bord Iascaigh Mhara will be glad to give the boat-owners concerned all the help they can in having the damaged boats repaired.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that a number of the boats slightly damaged were put in order and have been fishing for a considerable time past but that there are at least three boats which were seriously damaged that have not since gone to sea and whose owners have not got any assurance from any quarter that they will receive compensation, adequate or otherwise? It is for that reason my question is directed to the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries rather than to the Department of Local Government or Department of Justice, as well it might. Can the Parliamentary Secretary throw any light on what is to be the situation for these people? Will they receive compensation or not?
As I indicated in my reply, An Bord Iascaigh Mhara are willing to give all possible co-operation. I assume there will be claims made for malicious injuries arising from this damage. If the claims are successful I assume that a figure will be allowed by way of compensation equivalent to the cost of repairing the damage.
Surely the Parliamentary Secretary must be aware of the weeks and months that have intervened since this happening and that at this stage the loss of earnings in many cases must be at least equal to, if not greater than, the actual total damage done? Is he aware that these fishermen— three in particular—are in a dilemma whether to try and mend their own boats as best they can at the lowest cost, perhaps not in the best way, or whether there is any assurance forthcoming that they will be compensated? Surely this is a matter that the Minister or the Parliamentary Secretary should try to tease out because it is a most unsatisfactory position and I am sure the Parliamentary Secretary is fully alive to this?
Would the Deputy not agree that there is some obligation on the boatowners to make formal application for help to An Bord Iascaigh Mhara, which would be granted. But that has not been done. One claim has been lodged with Donegal County Council for malicious injuries. So far as the Department are concerned, their sheet is completely clean in this matter.
Might I ask the Parliamentary Secretary whether it is the question of having clean sheets that is important in this matter or that of getting the fishermen back fishing? I would ask the Parliamentary Secretary to ignore the question of the clean sheet in so far as his Department are concerned and to assume the responsibility that is his Department's, which is the wellbeing of these fishermen. The Parliamentary Secretary should try to cut through the red tape—necessary perhaps in some cases but not in this one—to enable these fishermen get back fishing, earning their living, and stop this carry-on of talking about malicious injuries compensation and so on.
We cannot debate this matter.
They will be paid if it is proved, that they are told by BIM and others——
We must pass on to the next question.
They are doing nothing. The Department of Justice are doing nothing. The Department of Local Government are doing nothing. And now the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries are happy because their sheets are clean. So also are the sheets of the fishermen.
One would assume from Deputy Blaney's comments that the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries were in some way neglectful and possibly that BIM were neglectful also. Nothing could be further from the truth. I have information on file here and if the Deputy wishes I will give him all of it.
Why did the Parliamentary Secretary not give it before this.
We communicated personally with the Deputy on this question. We were told the Deputy was concerned about the delay in the processing of the malicious injuries claim. He told us that the person handling the claim was taking a month's holiday. I do not see what say the Department can have in that matter when the people processing the claim are not in a position to do so. The Department are not neglectful and neither are BIM.
Question No. 25.
May I appeal to the Parliamentary Secretary——
This question has been going on for too long.
——to use his good offices to knock together the heads of those concerned in order to get the fishermen back on the waters and fishing again?
It is not too easy for me or the Department to take action when we are not requested to do so. I have no doubt that had these boat owners made representations to BIM and asked for their co-operation that it would have been forthcoming. If, on the other hand, they are dealing with the matter legally, that is their business and it is not for me to say if that is the proper course.