asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware of the hardships being caused to certain classes of fishermen, using power boats, by the practice of allocating kerosene on a standard horse-power basis without regard to the class of fishing carried on; that boats engaged as drifters, which have to use their engines only when going to or returning from the fishing grounds, get the same allocation of kerosene as trawlers which have to use their engines dragging their trawls all the time they are working at sea; and whether he will in future make an increased allowance of kerosene available to boats occupied in trawling, as distinct from drifting or line fishing.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Kerosene for Fishing Boats.
I do not agree that the present system of allocating supplies of kerosene for fishing boats on the basis of the horse-power of the engine involves hardship to certain classes of fishermen. I am satisfied that the system is equitable as between the various types of fishing boats and it is not proposed to change it in the early future.