asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state why only four 50-ft. boats have been ordered since July, 1951, for hire-purchase to inshore fishermen in view of the fact that between August, 1948, and July, 1951, 24 50-ft. boats were built and allocated to inshore fishermen.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hire-Purchase Boats.
The figures quoted in the question are not correct. I am informed by An Bord Iascaigh Mhara that 16 50-ft. boats have been ordered since 1st July, 1951. The number of such boats built and delivered to fishermen from 1st August, 1948, to 30th June, 1951, was 13.
If the Parliamentary Secretary will refer to the reply he gave me last week in the House he will discover that the figures contained therein did not correspond to the figures furnished here.
I think that the Deputy will find that the figures do correspond if he has regard to the question asked. I gave him figures last week for boats delivered.
Yes.
He now asks a question as to why only four 50-ft. boats have been ordered.
That is right. The previous week he gave me returns for the dates on which the keels were laid in our own yards or the contracts signed with shipbuilders. Between 1948 and 1951 there were 24 boats and since 1951 only four boats have had keels laid or contracts signed for their construction, and I was inquiring of the Parliamentary Secretary why he did not put more than four boats to building since 1951 when 24 had been built between 1948 and 1951.
If the Deputy would examine the reply given to him last week he would find that the figure of four should be eight boats delivered. I refer the Deputy to the reply I gavehim last week and he will find that he is interpreting it wrongly.