asked the Minister for Lands why An Bord Iascaigh Mhara are not buying the scollops being fished this year at Kilkerrin, Carna, and Roundstone Bays.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Connemara Shell Fish Industry.
I understand that An Bord Iascaigh Mhara have a considerable quantity of quick-frozen escallops in stock and are meeting with great difficulty in disposing of them due to restrictions of French imports. The board are making every endeavour to find markets and, if they succeed, the purchase of escallops in the Connemara area will be resumed as soon as practicable. Alternative markets are available for other species of shell fish but market research is necessary in the case of escallops. My Department will give every possible assistance in this connection.