asked the Minister for Agriculture whether, in view of the fuel shortage, the high prices of nets and the low prices for fish there is a great danger that there will be a big fall in the landings of fish during the coming season, and whether in order to counteract this as far as possible he will recommend to the Sea Fisheries Association that they should during the emergency waive their rule requiring applicants for boats and gear to make a substantial deposit towards the cost of these items of equipment.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fishermen's Boats and Gear.
The price of fish has risen, proportionately, more than the price of fishing gear. The real trouble is the difficulty of procuring supplies of such gear from the makers, and the Sea Fisheries Association is unable to meet the requirements of members who are offering to provide the greater part of the cost by way of deposit or prepayment. In the circumstances, I am not prepared to agree to a waiver by the association of the rule in question.