asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if, arising out of his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 412 of 13 March 1984 the reason unaudited figures of Bord Iascaigh Mhara were given to the Irish Fish Producers Organisation; and why they should have been given to that organisation, when such information could not be available to public representatives except through a parliamentary question.
Written Answers. - Bord Iascaigh Mhara Finances.
470.
Unaudited figures were supplied last November for use by the Sectoral Consultative Committee on the Fishing Industry of which the Irish Fish Producers Organisation is a member. It was through this committee that the organisation obtained their information. It is not normal practice to supply unaudited figures.
471.
asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry arising out of his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 412 of 13 March 1984 how Bord Iascaigh Mhara can pay out to the Exchequer the full instalment due on foot of repayable advances while an estimated amount of £6.2 million is unpaid by fishermen; and the source from which Bord Iascaigh Mhara could repay in full to the Exchequer the instalment due on repayable advances.
In recent months BIM have for the first time been unable to make repayments in full to the Exchequer on foot of repayable advances. The only source of funds from which BIM can make such repayments is the repayments by fishermen on loans advanced to them by BIM.
472.
asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if he will confirm that the repayable advances issued to Bord Iascaigh Mhara are solely for the purpose of financing fishermen in the purchase of boats, gear, parts, etc.
Exchequer Advances to BIM are used for the following purposes:
1. financing of the purchase of boats, gear, equipment, etc.;
2. guarantee payments to banks in cases where skippers default on bank loans secured by BIM guarantees; and
3. loans for the development of mariculture projects.