asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry the total number of fishermen in arrears with their repayments to BIM at 30 April 1984; the total amount of these arrears; and the steps that are now being taken to remedy the situation.
Written Answers. - BIM Loan Repayments.
529.
I understand that the total number of fishermen in arrears with their repayments at 30 April 1984 was 392 and that the total arrears amounted to £7.9 million. Every effort is being made by BIM to reduce the level of arrears and I am at present reviewing the whole position.
530.
asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if he will confirm whether or not he has agreed in a number of cases to accept repayments of loans on a share basis; if so, if he will indicate the number of shares in each case; and whether or not he is now prepared to depart from the normal repayment system.
The terms of loan repayments is entirely a matter for decision by An Bord Iascaigh Mhara. I understand that repayments on a share basis have always been a feature of the repayments system provided the values of the shares paid over were sufficient to service the loans in accordance with any agreements which had been executed. Within the past 12 months a sharing system based on 25 per cent of the gross value of landings has been introduced in particular cases, where the balances outstanding on the accounts were unsatisfactory.