asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that the only market for cured mackerel from the south-west coast of Ireland is in the United States of America; and if, seeing that this product is handicapped by an import tariff in that country and by the extra cost of freight which places the Irish exporters at a great disadvantage as compared with Norwegian competitors, he will consider the granting of an export bounty on such cured mackerel to help the fishermen of West Cork.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Mackerel in U.S.A.
Dr. Ryan
I would refer the Deputy to the reply given to the question on this subject which was addressed to me by Deputy Burke on 10th April last. I may add that I am not aware that Norwegian exporters are now competing in this trade.
Is the Minister aware that this is a seasonal trade—autumn mackerel? At the moment the market does not exist. Is he aware that the Norwegians have an advantage over us because they export their mackerel direct, whereas ours have to be sent to Liverpool or other British ports and transhipped to the United States?
Dr. Ryan
I did not mean that the Norwegians were not now competing, at the present time. I meant for some time past the Norwegians have decided not to compete in that market again.