asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if he will explain arising out of his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 684 of 17 May 1983 and to previous Parliamentary Questions Nos. 654 and 655 of 27 April 1983 how Bord Iascaigh Mhara made full repayments on foot of Central Fund advances to the Exchequer as at 31 March 1983, when in fact he has already stated that fishermen are in arrears with their payments to the extent of approximately £3 million; and from what source Bord Iascaigh Mhara were able to repay the arrears of £3 million to the Exchequer.
Written Answers. - An Bord Iascaigh Mhara.
638.
The length of time applying to BIM loans to fishermen is always substantially less than the period available on loans from the Central Fund as received by the board from the Exchequer. Although substantial arrears are arising on fishermen's loan accounts repayments in each year to date by fishermen have been sufficient to meet repayments on Exchequer advances as they fell due.
Of the IR£3 million arrears referred to approximately £1.2 million is represented by payments which are required to be made by the board to banks when fishermen default on bank loans which have been guaranteed by the board. To service these payments additional Exchequer advances have to be drawn by the board.
639.
asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if he is aware that boats which are issued on hire-purchase conditions to fishermen are usually calculated for repayment over a twelve-year period; that the repayment covers both principal and interest; and that that being the case, it should be possible to determine: (a) the principal factor in the arrears of £3 million and (b) the interest factor in the £3 million arrears; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Loan agreements for new vessels are available for a maximum term of 12 years; loan agreements for secondhand vessels are available for a maximum term of ten years and are usually for a lesser term. Loan agreements for other purposes range from a maximum of eight years down to six months.
It is not possible to allocate arrears on loan accounts as between interest and principal. The figure for interest and principal included in each instalment as it falls due is debited to a single current account. Any receipts are credited to this account. There is no necessity nor is any attempt made to apportion the receipts as between interest and principal and accordingly the information sought is not available.
640.
asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry from what source the loss of £1,500,000 was met and if that loss has been written out of the accounts of Bord Iascaigh Mhara; and if the write-off was approved by the Minister for Finance.
I am not aware of any loss of £1,500,000 having been incurred by An Bord Iascaigh Mhara and the question of a write-off does not therefore arise.
641.
asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if the rescue unit set up by Bord Iascaigh Mhara, as per Parliamentary Question No. 655, has, in effect, taken any action to assist some 321 skippers of vessels under 70' and 54' and over 70', who are in arrears in their payments to the Board.
Thirteen fishermen have so far been visited and assisted in the areas of technical advice, provision of additional grant and loan finance for repairs—reconstruction on their vessels and for restructuring of loan accounts.
The position of other accounts which are seriously in arrears will be examined on an ongoing basis.