asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries if, in view of the poor inshore fishing this year in Kerry and the consequent inability of fishermen to meet the current instalments on their loans, he will have inquiry made with a view to staying pending proceedings for recovery of such instalments until such time as the fishermen are able to meet their liabilities, and whether he will take into consideration the fact that the trawling operations of the Sea Fisheries Association have resulted in restricting the inshore fishermen's market.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Kerry Inshore Fishermen.
I shall be prepared to give sympathetic consideration to the circumstances of any individual case of inability to meet an instalment in consequence of poverty of the fishing. There are no grounds for the belief that the trawling operations of the Sea Fisheries Association have restricted the market for the inshore catch. The contrary is the case.
The Association has, I understand, had the prevailing prices for mackerel, which is the main fishing in the county, under observation and was prepared to undertake an experiment in the freshing of this fish landed by its members at Dingle. In view of the improvement in prices, however, this step became unnecessary. The Association has also, I understand, been prepared to undertake the marketing of the catch of white fish by its members at the same port, but has at the request of these members deferred such action until January, when the landings are usually larger in quantity and better in quality.
Am I to understand that before any pending legal proceedings are allowed to go forward the Parliamentary Secretary will investigate them first?
If they are brought to my notice.