asked the Minister for Lands if he will state how much money has been allocated in respect of the erection of an ice plant at Dunmore East, County Waterford.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Waterford Ice Plant.
I am not in a position to give the information requested in advance of consideration by Dáil Eireann of the necessary Supplementary Estimate. I can, however, repeat the assurance given to the Deputy in the course of the debate on the Fisheries Estimate that an ice plant is to be erected at Dunmore East.
Is the Minister aware that the Minister for Finance said in his Budget speech that a sum of £45,000 was allocated for Dunmore East? The Minister replying to me that night said that there was an error in the report and I should like the Minister for Lands to explain the matter.
The error, which was unfortunate and inadvertent, was that the amount, comprising £48,000, included a number of different items. It included advances for boats, preparations for the purchase of an exploratory boat, an increased grant to the Inland Fisheries Trust and the establishment of an ice plant at Dunmore East.
Further arising from the Minister's reply, would the Minister agree now that it looks as if Dunmore East is going to get practically nothing, in spite of the fact that it is the largest fishing port in the country?
The Deputy is totally misinformed. It is one of the large ports but it does not happen to be the largest, which is Killybegs. If all goes well and if the Minister for Finance agrees on a Supplementary Estimate, steps will be taken to expedite the erection of an ice plant at Dunmore East.
Further arising from the Minister's reply, when he says Killybegs is the largest port——
(Interruptions.)
I am quoting the Minister's own reply last week.
Question No. 9.
I am not satisfied with the reply, a Cheann Comhairle, and I ask your permission to raise the matter on the Adjournment.