asked the Minister for Supplies if he will have inquiries made by the Consul-General in New York and the Consul in Boston as to the availability of staves, hoops and ends of barrels suitable for cured mackerel with a view to their importation and the construction here of barrels so that the gluts of mackerel in the "fall season" can be handled to the advantage of both fisherman and merchant.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Barrels for Mackerel.
I have not had, heretofore, representations by either merchants or fishermen that the lack of barrels prevents them from disposing of cured mackerel. I understand, however, that during the war there was a market in Great Britain for fresh mackerel and that it was unnecessary to cure the fish, but that it is anticipated that this market will disappear with the resumption of normal operations by British fishing fleets. I am informed by the Irish Sea Fisheries Association that efforts are being made to find a market for cured mackerel but that the prospects of success are not very good. I shall be willing to assist the association in any practical manner, but I must point out that it has not yet been found possible to allocate shipping space for the importation of barrel staves for other important industries.
Is the Minister aware that in the last month the Minister for Agriculture stood up in this House and stated that the only obstacle to the development of the cured mackerel trade was the utter impossibility of securing supplies of barrel staves and bottoms?
I do not think that is a correct paraphrase of the Minister's remark.
I wish Deputy Healy were here to confirm what I said.
He could not, because it is not right.
You did not say it?
I did not. I said it was the first obstacle.
And that for the time being it was an insuperable one?
Yes.