asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware that Six-County fishermen operating around the South East coast have, by reason of being heavily subsidised, a decided advantage over Twenty-Six County fishermen; and, if so, if he will take steps to put the Twenty-Six County fishermen on a basis of equality with those of the Six Counties.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Six County Fishing Boats.
76.
I understand that Six-County fishermen do not qualify for a subsidy in respect of fish which they land in the Twenty-Six Counties. Independently of this, however, I am looking into the possibility of improving conditions for our fishermen.
77.
asked the Minister for Lands whether he is aware of the grave unrest amongst Irish fishermen in Dunmore East, County Waterford, due to the decision of the Government that boats registered in the Six Counties are entitled to fish within the fishing limits of the Irish coastline; and if he will investigate the matter.
Since the beginning of 1960 boats bona fide owned and operated by fishermen permanently resident in the Six Counties have not been prevented from fishing within our exclusive fishery limits. The decision then taken after careful consideration of the implications still stands and does not appear to call for investigation.
The real cause of the trouble down there is that An Bord Iascaigh Mhara gave out about 150 boats around the coast and two to Dunmore and one to Helvic, where all the fish are caught.
I do not think that arises out of the Question.
Our fishermen down there see strange boats fishing in their area.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary satisfied that the boats registered in the Six Counties are the property of Irish fishermen and that mere registration in the Six Counties is not a subterfuge for permitting British boats to fish in our territorial waters?
I am satisfied that these boats are owned by bona fide residents of County Down which is one of the 32 Counties of Ireland.
The Parliamentary Secretary should hear their accents now and again.
Paul Singer might have owned some of them, for all we know.