andMr. Deasy asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry the reason for the delay in publishing the annual report of Bord Iascaigh Mhara for 1978; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - BIM Report.
12.
The annual report and accounts of An Bord Iascaigh Mhara for 1978 will be presented to Dáil Éireann in the course of the next few days. The late publication of the report arose because of unavoidable delays in the preparation and auditing of the board's accounts resulting from pressure of other work on the staff concerned.
Would the Minister not agree that this is a disgraceful situation? In reply to a question on 5 April 1979 the then Minister for Fisheries and Forestry, Deputy Lenihan, informed the House that the report would be available last May. Thirteen months have elapsed and we still have not had that report.
I agree this is not a desirable situation but I hope it will be rectified. Next year's report will be available within the guidelines laid down.
Would the Minister tell the House if he has reprimanded the board for this disgraceful carry on? If so, what was the nature of the reprimand?
I do not intend to tell the Deputy if I reprimanded them.
Is the Minister telling the House he is satisfied with the position and did not see fit to reprimand the board for this disgraceful situation?
I am telling the Deputy that I will not say if I reprimanded them.
Because he does not know.
I do know.
If he knows he should tell the House.
(Interruptions.)
On a point of order, is it in order for a Minister to tell a Deputy in such an arrogant fashion that he will not give him information in this House?
The Chair has no responsibility for the way a Minister replies. Deputy Fitzpatrick.
The Minister has no business here if he is not——
We have to dig the information out of him on all questions.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Is the Minister aware that the last report brought before the House from the board was very much out of date and that the Minister's predecessor, Deputy Lenihan, conceded that and promised it would not happen again and that the report would be brought before the House in May 1975? This Minister now comes along with the same sort of reply. What is the mystery about this report? Why has it been delayed for so long?
There have always been delays in presenting the reports of Bord Iascaigh Mhara. There was considerable trouble on the 1978 report because the board were engaged in the sale of shipyards.
That is it. Now we know.
They were engaged in the sale of shipyards.
I cannot tell Deputies what happened previously but the 1979 report will be available early.
(Cavan-Monaghan): When did the boatyards change ownership?
That is a separate question.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Was it not over 18 months ago? The country at large are anxious to get this report before the House to see what happened to these yards and what was paid for them.
Question No. 13.
Will the report give that information?
May I ask a supplementary? I have been on my feet for the past five minutes.
The Deputy has not been off his feet for the past 20 minutes. I am calling Question No. 13.
The Minister is covering up a scandal.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Can the Minister give a date?
We have already had about ten supplementaries on this question.
We are only getting this information bit by bit.
(Interruptions.)
This is Question Time. I am calling Question No. 13.
The Chair is giving him an opportunity to run for cover.
Deputy O'Keeffe, that kind of charge should not be made against the Chair and I ask you to withdraw it.
Certainly, if you wish.
You have charged the Chair with trying to cover up for a Minister. Deputy O'Keeffe will withdraw that charge. It should not be made.
Are you finished, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle?
I am asking the Deputy to withdraw the charge.
Let me be clear. I did not suggest that the Leas-Cheann Comhairle was covering up for the Minister but I did suggest——
That is the statement the Deputy made.
I did not say that. What I did say was that you were giving him the opportunity of running for cover.
That is the same. You are making a charge against the Chair. I am asking you to withdraw it.
If you are hurt or insulted by that, I will withdraw it but——
Question No. 13.
——at the same time could I suggest——
You may not suggest anything. This is Question Time.
(Interruptions.)
I have called Question No. 13. We have spent almost ten minutes on the last question.
(Cavan-Monaghan): May I ask one short supplementary? In view of the fact that the Minister's predecessor gave a positive assurance that this report would be brought before the House in May 1979, will the Minister now give us a definite date on which it will be brought before the House?
The 1978 report is ready to be brought before the House immediately.
(Cavan-Monaghan): When will it be laid on the table?
Next Tuesday.
I understood that the boatyards were sold in 1979. If so, why the delay? Who were at fault, the staff or the auditors? Will changes be made? We want these reports before the House within three months after finalisation.
The boatyards were sold early in 1979, the accounts were submitted at the end of July 1979——
We are talking about 1978.
I presume it would be impossible to have the report for 1978 submitted to an auditor in July 1978. The Deputy will appreciate that the year must be over before a report can be prepared.
I do not want to be obstreperous. A very serious matter has been raised here.
I am calling Question No. 13.
There is a question of misinformation.
The Deputy may raise it elsewhere if he wishes.
There is no point in raising it outside the House.