asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the plans, if any, he has for expansion of the fishing fleet; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fishing Industry.
24.
Our sea fishing fleet has been expanding progressively for a number of years past and the funds being provided for this purpose in the current year are at the highest ever level.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary confirm that he has received a document from the fishermen and others engaged in the industry with regard to setting out a plan for the future development of the Irish fishing industry? If so, has he examined that plan and is he in a position to make any statement about it?
We have examined that plan in conjunction with a number of other recommendations made by various groups interested in the development of fisheries. We had, first of all, the commission's report, which was a rather bulky document and contained many recommendations. Then we had reports from various bodies and individual reports. We had the fishermen's organisation report. All these must be taken together. It is because of our examination and the time taken in analysing all the reports that we have not produced the legislation which is necessary to up-date our fisheries legislation. It takes some time, as Deputy Haughey will appreciate, to formulate a policy.
The Parliamentary Secretary will recall that some time last year the fishermen engaged in very considerable agitation. In fact, they had a picket outside Leinster House. As a result of that, the Parliamentary Secretary asked them to submit a plan to him for the development of the Irish sea fishing industry, which they did. Quite recently, the fishermen and others associated in the sea fishing industry produced what, to my mind, is a very fine plan for the future development of the industry. Has the Minister examined that because I believe it is well worthy of examination? If he has examined it, will he report either to the House or to the general public on his acceptance or rejection of the proposals in it? Is he aware that in that document the organisations concerned bring out the fact that the Irish fishing fleet is on average a very old fleet and desperately in need of renewal?
This is a very long question.
I know it is, but it all arises out of Question No. 24. In this development plan put forward by the fishermen concerned they indicate that the Irish fishing fleet is old on average and desperately in need of renewal. Is the Parliamentary Secretary in a position to comment on that statement, and if so will he accept the recommendations in regard to fleet enlargement?
It is the intention of the Government to up-date fisheries legislation——
I am talking about sea fisheries.
As far as the provision of additional funds is concerned to replace boats and to keep them up to standard, the Government have made a sufficiency of money available to meet commitments for 1976. As far as the availability of funds from the Exchequer is concerned—we also expect money from non-Exchequer sources—Deputy Haughey need not be worried.
Next question. I have allowed a large number of supplementaries.
In view of the fact that we are exploiting only 10 per cent of our fisheries and that the Treaty of Accession comes up for renewal in 1983, would the Parliamentary Secretary not agree it is necessary to have some plan at this stage to ensure that our own fisheries are exploited to the full? Will he not accept the necessity to get bigger boats so that we will be able to make a case to the EEC?
That policy is in existence now. What we are trying to do is to get bigger boats to move out to middle waters. We feel they are remaining too near the coastline. Some of our 80 feet and 90 feet boats could fish further afield and move out to where boats from other countries are fishing. It is part of our policy to try to exploit——
Can the Parliamentary Secretary tell us if there is any definite plan for a middle water fleet?
Our plan is an ongoing one and we are up-dating our plan for bigger boats. There was a question about the number of boats being provided at present, their sizes and so on. We have boats now which are quite capable of moving out and that trend is catching on in some areas—skippers are moving out to the middle waters.
I will put a specific question: is the Parliamentary Secretary aware of the proposals put forward by the fishermen in a national plan for the expansion of the fleet, and will he state whether he accepts or rejects these specific proposals?
I have told Deputy Haughey the proposals are being examined in conjunction with proposals from other sources.
These are very specific proposals.
They are coming from a specific group of people. They are proposals from the skippers.
The Parliamentary Secretary asked them to put forward a plan.
We asked for proposals from others as well.
25.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if any orders for fishing boats have been placed outside the country for 1976.
Orders for five fishing boats to be built abroad have been placed by Irish fishermen for delivery in 1976.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary tell us what type of boats are being ordered?
They are five steel vessels. Boats of this type are not available in Ireland and the orders we placed are as follows: three in Scotland, one in Holland and one in France. The three being built in Scotland are 80 to 85 feet, and the one each in Holland and France are 89 feet.
Am I to take it it is not possible to have these boats built at home?
That is so at the present time.
26.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the number of fishing boats which have been built in Irish boatyards and in boatyards outside the country for 1973, 1974 and 1975.
Following is the information requested: 1973, 61 in Irish boatyards and one in foreign boatyards; 1974, 53 in Irish boatyards and two in foreign boatyards; 1975, 67 in Irish boatyards and two in foreign boatyards.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary confirm that the plan for the Irish sea fisheries industry put forward by the National Fishermen's Association, which he requested, contained a number of recommendations in regard to the future of the Irish boatyards and the expansion of the Irish fishing fleet, and is he in a position to comment on the recommendations put forward?
I have done so already. They are being analysed in the Department and a statement will be issued later. Our sea fisheries legislation will be up-dated.
There is no legislation needed for this. Are these recommendations acceptable in principle.
They are being examined.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary know what the recommendations are? I am afraid he does not.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary tell us why in 1976 six boats are to be built outside the country? Is this in keeping with the present tendency, which seems to be the policy of the Government, to have orders for material used in the country taken outside the country?
The position is quite clear. Irish fishermen are at liberty to purchase boats wherever they wish and fortunately all who elect to purchase boats other than those of steel purchase them in Irish yards. All boats purchased in 1973, 1974 and 1975 were other than of steel and those proposed to be purchased abroad in 1976 are steel boats and they are not available here. That is a question we will have to address ourselves to.
To take full advantage of the boats being constructed, it will be necessary to extend our fishing limits.
That is a separate question.
When will the Government take a decision on this?
In view of the fact that there seems to be a growing interest in steel boats, could not Bord Iascaigh Mhara assist some of our Irish boatyards to adapt and change in order to maintain continuity of employment?
That is a matter to be considered by BIM.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary contact BIM?
I have already discussed it with them.