asked the Minister for Lands if it is proposed to engage a Swedish expert to survey all the major Irish harbours, and to give technical advice as to the best means of developing them as major fishery stations, and, if so, if he will state the name of the expert, and the date of his proposed appointment.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Survey of Harbours.
asked the Minister for Lands if he will place a time limit to the survey of Irish harbours by a Swedish expert so that the survey may not go on indefinitely; further, if he will state the estimated cost of such a survey.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to take Questions Nos. 54 and 55 together.
Arrangements are well advanced for the engagement of a consultant of international repute to make a survey of the harbour facilities at present available to our fishermen, to advise as to the places at which the main fishery activity can best be concentrated and to make recommendations as to the nature and extent of the harbour works needed to ensure optimum development. Until these arrangements are perfected, I am not in a position to reply to the other points of detail raised by the Deputy, but I can assure him that everything possible will be done to secure the early completion of the project.
Can the Minister tell us at this stage who the Swedish expert is and when he will commence operations?
In view of the fact that the consultant is a person of very high repute, I would prefer the Deputy to ask another question about that and I shall give him the full particulars.
When would the Minister like me to ask that question?
Any time the Deputy chooses.
Might I now ask the Minister whether this Swedish consultant has been recommended to his Department by Deputy Briscoe?
That is a separate matter.
There is absolutely no connection in my mind between the two gentlemen.
Will the Minister look into it?
I will not look into it.
Fair enough. The Minister will get more information from me on it.
It does not matter what the Deputy tells me. I have had no representations from Deputy Briscoe or from any other Deputy regarding this expert.
I can enlighten the Minister.
I do not care what the Deputy asks by way of question about it.
Then I shall ask some more questions.