asked the Minister for Finance if in view of the lack of landing facilities and safe anchorage at Inniskeeragh Island, Arranmore, County Donegal, he will ensure that a landing slip and breakwater will be erected on the island.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Landing Facilities on Donegal Islands.
The possibility of providing improved landing facilities at Inniskeeragh Island, County Donegal, has already been examined, and it has been found that the cost involved would not be justified either by the limited fishery interests of the area or by the unemployment position on the island.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that this is the only island on the western seaboard in which all the islanders are engaged in the fishing industry? In view of that fact and in view of the poverty of fishermen, would he not reconsider his decision and have a breakwater and landing slip erected on the island? Not only have I asked this question but my predecessors from West Donegal have asked the same question down through the years.
Under the regulations governing this kind of scheme in general, the limited fishing interest and the unemployment position on the island would not warrant a grant commensurate with what the cost would be.
What would the cost be?
Was there not a breakwater erected there before which, because of the inefficiency of the engineering, was washed away?
What would be the cost of erecting a breakwater?
It would all depend.
How much would it cost?
It would all depend on the type of breakwater. The cost would be excessive. Why was not all this done when Deputy MacBride was in the Government?
(Interruptions.)
Question No. 40.
No representations have hitherto been made to me to provide——
The Parliamentary Secretary has been saved by the bell.
That statement should not have been made. The bell is never used to save either a Minister or a Parliamentary Secretary. It is used purely for the purpose of keeping order.
It was not an accusation against the Chair. It was a fact that the Chair called the next question.
It could easily be construed as an accusation against the Chair.
The Chair did not in fact use the bell. The Chair called the next question.
The Deputy did say that the Parliamentary Secretary was saved by the bell. The Chair did not use the bell or any other device to save the Parliamentary Secretary.
I presume the Chair is aware of the phrase used in boxing that a person is saved by the bell. When the round ends and one participant is almost out he is saved by the ringing of the bell. The Parliamentary Secretary was saved in the same manner by the next question being called.
I want to make it clear that the Chair did not use the bell or any other device to save the Parliamentary Secretary.
I never suggested he did. I said the Parliamentary Secretary was saved by the bell.
I am afraid I must ask the Parliamentary Secretary to repeat the reply to Question No. 40 because, though he gave the answer, I did not hear it.
Round two.
(Interruptions.)
I am afraid I must ask for round three. I must apologise to the Parliamentary Secretary but I did not really catch the beginning of the reply.
asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that a number of new motor and yawl type fishing boats are being acquired by industrious fishermen on Tory Island, but that owing to lack of anchorage and beaching facilities a new slipway and cable haulage system is essential; and, if so,if he will cause a slipway and cable haulage system to be erected at Port-a-Doon, East End, Tory Island.
No representations have hitherto been made to me to provide facilities for motor and "yawl" type fishing boats at Port-a-Doon, East End, Tory Island.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary take the question as a representation?
Certainly.