asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if he is aware of the threatened closure of the Erinova fish processing plant at Castletownbere, County Cork, and the steps he proposes to take to ensure the viability of this factory.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Castletownbere (Cork), Fish Processing Plant.
5.
I understand that this company has given protective notice to its staff as from August next in anticipation of the application of the 75 per cent EEC crewing requirement to the vessels operated by them.
As the Deputy may recall, when the Fisheries (Amendment) Bill, 1983, was being discussed in this House I gave an undertaking that the requirement in question would apply to vessels already registered here after a period of grace. This period expires in August 1984 and I do not propose to extend it.
It is a matter for the company to ensure the viability of the factory. I must point out, however, that every possible assistance has already been given to it by both my Department and BIM in its efforts to increase supplies of raw material to the factory.