asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state the value of the fish, edible and inedible, landed at Purteen harbour, North Mayo, from 1st February, 1951, to date and if he is aware that a new fishing boat was smashed by the recent storm due to the fact that this pier has been neglected over a long period of years and also that the harbour basin and entrance are too shallow; and, if so, if he will make the necessary money available to put this harbour and pier into a serviceable condition.
- Condition of Purteen Harbour.
No information is collected by my Department in regard to landings of inedible fish, and separate particulars of landings of edible fish at Purteen are not available as they are grouped for statistical purposes with those at Keem. The average value of the landings at both places in the three most recent years for which complete information is available was something under £3,000.
I am aware that a fishing boat was recently damaged at Purteen and I have no doubt that improvement in the harbour there would provide better security, but I understand that the cost of any effective improvement would be considerable. Before I could recommend a grant from State funds in such a case, I would need to be satisfied that the expenditure involved was reasonable having regard to the fishery interests. Purteen is also connected with the shark-fishing industry, the future of which is at present, I understand, under consideration by the Department of Industry and Commerce. Until sufficient information on that subject is available it will not be possible to decide whether a State grant towards the cost of the improvements suggested at Purteen would be justified.
May I remind the Parliamentary Secretary that it is regrettable that he has not figures in connection with this harbour at Purteen and, further, that the approximate figure for landings of edible and inedible fish was £50,000?
The Deputy is giving information, not seeking information.
Surely that is a reflection on the Parliamentary Secretary.
It is no reflection on anybody. It is a statement of fact.
May I remind the Parliamentary Secretary that there are 15 men employed?
That is giving information again.
That is what the Parliamentary Secretary requires.
Deputy Flanagan will allow me please to conduct the business as I think fit.
May I remind the Parliamentary Secretary that in the year 1950-51 £50,000 worth of edible——
That is information.
I asked him if he is aware——
That is a question.
It is giving information.
He is asking "Is he aware?"
Is he aware that there are 15 men employed?
What period does the £50,000 cover? I am not aware of any information except that, as I have stated, the landings of fish in the two places Purteen and Keem, are valued at somewhat under £3,000 annually.
May I remind the Parliamentary Secretary that the figures submitted to him by his Department are entirely wrong?
The Deputy wants to give information, not to seek it.
May I inquire of the Parliamentary Secretary if he has consulted the survey — I take it that this is Purteen Harbour in Achill — which was completed and referred back on the ground that inasmuch as Purteen Harbour was almost the only fishing harbour in Ireland that was congested with boats it was desirable to clear the four quays instead of, as was originally proposed, dealing with two? It was a complete survey.
Pending the securing of the information you are seeking——
The Deputy will use the third person please.
Pending the securing of the information the Parliamentary Secretary is seeking——
This House is becoming more like a school.
——will the Parliamentary Secretary guarantee to the House the replacement of the boat which was damaged a while ago as the people who are fishing require that boat in order to carry on?
We require half a dozen in Donegal.
Involved in this question is the basking shark industry which is not the responsibility of my Department, much as we would like to, and do, help when representations are made to us regarding it. I have indicated that that aspect of the question is under the care, and receiving the attention, of the Department of Industry and Commerce and we are waiting results in that regard. The intentions in relation to the basking shark industry will probably fit in with any proposals which my Department may have regarding the development of Purteen, Keem and Darby's Point.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary be good enough to answer my inquiry as to the report?
I do not think it has been completed. I take it that Deputy Dillon refers to the O.E.E.C. survey?
No. If the Minister will look up the records, he will find that the Department of Fisheries made a special survey of Purteen, with a view to making recommendations for the justification of a grant on account of the fishery interest involved.
We have that all right.