asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if he will give details of the processing enterprise being undertaken by a company (details supplied) in County Cork, in agreement with An Bord Iascaigh Mhara and his Department.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Cork Processing Enterprise.
2.
As the details for the integrated catching and processing project in question have not yet been finalised they are at present confidential between the promoters and the State agencies involved.
Is it the intention of the Minister to give permission to a Spanish concern that is mentioned in the next question, but which has been omitted from this question, although I included it——
Are we on Question No. 3?
——to fish three, six or even nine boats out of Castletownbere?
The whole project is an economic proposition that is being examined in connection with a number of other economic propositions related to fish projects in the Castletownbere area where there are 15 industrial sites to be filled but for which no planning was carried out by the the previous Government. I was faced with a situation in which there has been State investment of a substantial nature in Castletownbere during the past few years while not even one project was envisaged or planned by the Coalition for the area. During my term of office I intend having each of those sites filled.
Is there a proposal from another concern in respect of the same place?
That is a constructive question.
The reason for asking is that the Minister said previously there was no other such proposal.
That was the position at the time at which I made that statement but subsequently there was another proposal.
But the Minister told us there was no other such proposal.
I have said that that was the position at the time but possibly my speaking out on the matter stimulated a response. In any case, further details were submitted subsequently by another organisation. In addition, there are a few other inquiries in this regard. What we want is a sufficient number of inquiries to ensure that not only will there materialise one fish-related project but at least 15 in that area for which we now have serviced sites, electricity, water and sewage having been laid on. We intend to develop Castletownbere as a proper onshore employment-giving fish processing port. That is very important particularly for the fishermen who at present are subject entirely to sales to fresh fish buyers on shore where what is required is the processing facility that will ensure the maintenance of a steady high price for the fish.
We all share the Minister's view about water and sewerage for this island but the Minister stated before that there was no proposal before his Department for a fish processing plant in that area. Therefore, he is telling a deliberate lie to the House.
I feel strongly about my personal honour.
Order. Deputy Begley will have to withdraw unequivocally his reference to the Minister.
The Minister is making a statement that is untrue.
Is that an unequivocal withdrawal of the statement that the Minister was telling a lie?
I am in possession of facts which indicate that the Minister told an untruth to the House.
Is that a qualified withdrawal?
I have evidence to prove the allegation I have made.
Regarding the Castletownbere project, is the Minister prepared to allow stand this overgenerous offer to the Spaniards coming to that area in the event of there being an alternative offer from an Irish concern?
I have told the House that I have received a submission from an Irish organisation, that this was received subsequent to the re-submission by the Spanish organisation. As I said, there have been other submissions also, all of which are being processed by the IDA and by BIM. The more submissions we get the better, not only from the point of view of the good of the whole industry but of the region concerned in particular.
Is the Minister aware that there is total opposition to the concept of having Spanish boats fish out of Castletownbere?
I am heartened in my attitude in this respect by the Irish trade union movement who have been very strongly supporting the idea of providing more employment on shore, which is the basic future area of employment in the fishing industry.
The Minister must have pulled the wool over their eyes too.
Can the Minister assure us that his previous statement, that fishing by Spanish boats will be confined to areas more than 50 miles from our coast, will apply to these Spanish boats fishing out of Castletownbere if that project goes ahead?
Yes. In regard to Spanish vessels that is the situation.
They will not be able to fish within 50 miles?
That is a different question. I am talking about Spanish vessels.
Spanish vessels have to fish more than 50 miles from our shores?
Spanish vessels, yes, but not Irish company vessels. Let us be clear about that.
I think there is an evasion here. Would "Irish company vessels" happen to be vessels owned by an Irish company owned by the Spaniards?
That is another day's work.
I see. The Minister is conniving there. He claimed that he has kept the Spanish boats more than 50 miles out. He detained the House repeating this three times and now it transpires that they can come in as long as they are registered here.
Perhaps the Deputy would listen to me. I stand over what I said. Any landings by such vessels for processing here, and giving employment here, are legitimate in the interests of the Irish nation and are supported by the Irish Fishermen's Organisation and by the Irish trade union movement. There is no evasion.
Would the Minister make inquiries from the IDA whether a Dutch industrialist met IDA officials in my company in 1977 with a view to setting up a processing plant?
I will make that inquiry and communicate with the Deputy.