asked the Minister for Supplies if he is aware that (1) those engaged in the fishing industry in Howth and Loughshinny who recently purchased new fishing boats have been unable to obtain permits for purchase of oil, and (2) a road licence has been refused to Messrs. J. Dobbin of Banbridge, who have been engaged for a considerable number of years past in purchasing fish at the fishing ports in the Twenty-Six Counties, although the firm were willing to tax their lorry in Éire and did not require either petrol or tyres from the Twenty-Six Counties; that the policy of the Department in these matters tends to have serious effects on the fishing industry in the country and whether he is now prepared to reconsider favourably those applications.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fishing Industry in Howth and Loughshinny.
In the absence of specific particulars, I am not aware of the new fishing boat owners in Howth and Loughshinny to whom the Deputy refers. Provision of supplies of petrol, kerosene or fuel oil for any persons engaging in a new enterprise at present can be made only by reduction in issues to existing users of these commodities whose prior right to a share of the limited supplies available must be recognised.
I am aware that a permit to operate a commercial goods vehicle in the Twenty-Six Counties by Messrs. J. Dobbin, Banbridge, for the collection and export of fish to Northern Ireland has been refused. In view of the restrictions on the use of commercial goods vehicles owned by traders resident in this part of the country, I am unable to grant to a Six-County firm a privilege not available to residents in the Twenty-Six Counties.
I am not aware that the policy of my Department in these matters tends to have serious effects on the fishing industry, and I am not prepared to change the policy.
I would like to know if the Minister has examined the statistics referring to the fishing industry and if he is aware that there is a decline in it; and, further, if the Minister is serious in stating that people in the fishing business who have bought new boats during the past 12 months have been refused a permit for oil in connection with those boats?
I have examined the statistics of the fishing industry and I am aware that the output of the industry has expanded very considerably in recent years. It is true that new owners cannot get supplies of petrol or fuel oil. We could only give them supplies by cutting down the supplies to those already in the business and I do not think that would be an equitable arrangement.
I will accept the Minister's statement and hope that it will be published, to deal with the statement of the Irish Independent that the fishing industry is on the decline and which gave statistics which were responsible for my putting down this question.
After all the warnings the Deputy got at the Ard-Fheis.
My question arose out of an article in the Irish Independent stating that the fishing industry is on the decline. The Minister states that it has expanded. I would like to ask the Minister if he is aware that Messrs. Dobbin have been doing business with the fishermen for the past 20 years. The war will end at some time and the people engaged in the fishing industry will be deprived of the services of this firm when the war is over, if the Minister does not do something about it.
It is with no pleasure that I refuse supplies of petrol to any firm, but I think, in circumstances where the residents of the Twenty-Six Counties cannot get supplies, neither should residents of the Six Counties.
They do not want petrol, they only want a permit. They are prepared to tax the lorry in Southern Ireland and are prepared to get tyres in Northern Ireland. They do not want petrol or tyres down here, but they want a licence to carry on business.
Deputy Fogarty puts the case of a number of businessmen, particularly in the Six Counties. Would the Minister not consider their case?
I have considered it very fully, in all the circumstances.
I think they want neither tyres nor petrol.
Although they may not want tyres or petrol or anything else from us, where the circumstances prevent the Twenty-Six County traders from carrying on the business, we are not going to allow traders from the Six Counties to carry on.
The Minister need not shake his gory locks at me. All I am trying to do is to secure that the small farmers who are living in districts near the Border may be able to get the services to which they were accustomed.
In the case of such services, the restriction applies to doctors and professional men of all classes as well.
Is the Minister aware that a fisherman from Cahirciveen has been refused kerosene, notwithstanding the fact that he is fishing this area since 1929?
That does not arise.
Is the Minister aware of the position of fishermen at Valentia?
The Minister is replying to the question on the Order Paper. The Deputy will have to put down his question.