asked the Minister for Fisheries if he is aware that since 1st November last the Dublin and Curragh Commands of the Army have not been supplied with Irish-caught fish; that the withdrawal of these orders from Ireland has had a depressing effect on the Irish fish trade, and that the returns to Irish fishermen and others engaged in the trade have been correspondingly injured; if he will state what steps he proposes to take in the immediate future to see that the fishing industry is protected from such injury.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - DUBLIN AND CURRAGH COMMANDS—FISH SUPPLIES.
I am not aware that since the 1st November, 1926 any change has occurred either in the method of supply or in the class of fish provided for consumption by the Dublin and Curragh Commands of the Army and am, therefore, unable to say that in the period under notice any particular injury has been caused to the Irish fish trade. The point raised in the final part of the question does not, therefore, arise.
Would the Minister, in the interest of the fishing trade, make inquiries?
Yes.
Will the Minister advise the Minister for Defence as to the deterioration in the quality of the fish that arises from transport by rail whole, unclean, as under the present contract, as compared with clean fish under the old contract?
Yes.