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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 3 Mar 1976

Vol. 288 No. 8

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fish Processing Industry.

8.

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the investment (a) foreign and (b) Irish in a company (name supplied) which proposes to establish a fish processing industry at Castletownbere, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I understand that arrangements for the financing of this project are at an early stage of development and it is therefore not possible to give details of the financial structure as requested.

The company in question proposes to establish a fully-integrated fishing and processing enterprise in Castletownbere involving fishing boats, processing plant and extensive cold storage which at full production is expected to employ about 200 people. The Industrial Development Authority have approved a grant of over £300,000 for the project.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary saying that there will be foreign investment in this industry?

Of course, there will.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that this is an entirely new method of financing a fish processing industry in this country and is he satisfied that it will not have an adverse effect on Irish fishermen?

The proposed industry was discussed with several bodies and particularly with the body mainly concerned, the fishermen of the Cork and Kerry coasts and having got details of the project and of what this Spanish company had in mind, they were quite satisfied. The IDA must be satisfied with the company when they are providing more than £300,000 for this work. It is assumed that in the first place more than 80 people will be employed and that at full production the figure will be over 200. As Deputy O'Leary knows, 200 people in employment at the end of the Berehaven Peninsula is something which we would all like to see happening.

I agree. Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that Spanish fishing vessels may now fish within the Irish limit to the detriment of Irish fishermen?

The Deputy is raising another matter.

How does the Parliamentary Secretary propose to control (a) the number of Spanish vessels and (b) how will be ensure that they will not fish within Irish territorial waters?

The Deputy is raising another matter now.

The company intend to operate a limited number of fishing vessels, probably four, which will operate in fishing grounds beyond the range of the present Irish fleet.

Question No. 9.

One final supplementary question. This is a very important question.

I have called the next question. Will Deputy O'Leary please obey the Chair?

It is only five words.

I am passing on to the next question.

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