I should like to congratulate the Government and the Parliamentary Secretary on the recently published programme in connection with sea fisheries development. The upsurge in the economy of the country since the Programme for Economic Expansion was first published has shown clearly the value of planning. I believe we can make progress now in relation to fisheries with the publication of this White Paper.
The White Paper outlines the manner in which it is proposed to develop our sea fisheries. Those who are in a position to know — our fishermen, with whom I have had many conversations with regard to the White Paper — believe that, if the policy adumbrated is vigorously pursued, it will produce worthwhile improvements in our fishing industry. The White Paper is welcomed generally by those connected with our fisheries.
Fishing as an occupation has always been a difficult and hazardous one, first, because of its nature and, secondly, because of the great variations in the size of the catches and the considerable fluctuations in the price of fish. This has tended to make fishing appear a less desirable mode of life, especially when the prospects of employment in traditional fishing areas improve because of the establishment of industries within convenient distance of fishing villages. I can see myself the effect that has. Young people are not as anxious to face the difficulties and trials of a fisherman's life as they were in former times when prospects of alternative employment were not so good. It is of the utmost importance, therefore, that we should do everything we can to try to consolidate the position of the fisherman and his industry. I believe that is what the Parliamentary Secretary is endeavouring to do. As I said, years ago when the general standard of living was low, the children of fishermen were inclined to follow the calling of their fathers. That day has passed and unless we can guarantee to our young people a worthwhile material advantage they will leave the industry and we will be left with one of our most important natural resources unworked. I have no doubt the Parliamentary Secretary has all this in mind.
It is most important that we should be able to guarantee our young fishermen a very worthwhile livelihood. Just as in agriculture so in fisheries, the methods that for centuries were good enough for the father, were good enough for the son. Any suggestion then that methods of fishing could be improved was resisted. I am glad to say that attitude has gone today and most of our fishermen, especially those who are taking note of the advantages their competitors with more up-to-date techniques have over them, are now very anxious to get as much training and acquire as much skill as possible. In that connection I am glad to note that An Bord Iascaigh Mhara are anxious to develop an advisory service to improve fishing techniques. This is particularly important when we remember that the cost of boats and gear is so very high. It is obvious we must make the best possible use of them and, to do that, it is essential that our young people should receive the very best training.
From the Parliamentary Secretary's statement it is obvious he is not satisfied with the progress in regard to the scheme for training skippers and training our young people generally as fishermen. These schemes, I believe, are not sufficiently publicised locally. In fishing villages as much publicity as possible should be given to the details of these schemes. It has been stated that any young Irishman will be welcome to train, no matter where he lives and irrespective of whether or not he has any previous experience. For a considerable time to come, however, I believe we will be dependent, in the main, on the young people reared in fishing villages, young people with a love of the sea and with fishing in their blood. For that reason, I believe we should concentrate as much as possible at the moment on advertising the facilities available so as to make these facilities known particularly in our fishing villages. As the Parliamentary Secretary has stated, very generous allowances are now being paid to young boys anxious to take up fishing as a career. As I said, I think that the people generally still do not realise the prospects which are offering in this industry.
The problem of the size of our boats is one of long standing. We realise that if we are to progress in this industry it is essential that we should have more of the larger type boat. I know that the Parliamentary Secretary has drawn particular attention to that. In fact, he mentioned it in his statement. However, we must remember, on the other hand, that the cost of these very big boats is enormous. For that reason, I would suggest to the Parliamentary Secretary that we should have a separate rate, separate terms, if that were possible, for these larger boats. I suggest that the term should be longer and, if possible, the interest rate lower.
If we compare our fleet at the present time with the fleets of most maritime countries it is, to say the least of it, rather meagre. I think we should, where we can, endeavour to encourage our people to get a larger type of boat. As I said, if we are to develop our industry as it should be developed, it is necessary that we should be able to go further out to sea and to stay out longer. The fishermen in my constituency are very pleased with the new rates which were published by the Parliamentary Secretary some time ago. I think, in deciding these rates, the Government recognised that the rates which then existed were stagnating the interest. In my view, this will be a very considerable help to our fishermen.
I suggested on a number of occasions before that the Government should consider subsidising the buying of gear. I know there are difficulties in regard to this matter. Gear at the present time is very expensive. Where gear is damaged, it is very difficult from the financial point of view to replace it. I would urge the Parliamentary Secretary to give some consideration to this matter. The proposal to pay 25 per cent, towards the installation of new engines is a step along the right lines. I wonder if the Parliamentary Secretary would consider going on similar lines with regard to the subsidisation of fishing gear?
Some time ago, a Swedish expert recommended certain ports in this country for major development. This, again, is something which is on the right lines. If we are to develop our industry, it is absolutely essential that we should have at least a number of first-class harbours with all the necessary facilities for our fishermen. I will say that I was disappointed that Clogherhead was not chosen as one of the main fishing ports. It has many advantages. The fact that so many new boats have been got there in recent years is surely proof in itself that the people there are forward-looking in regard to this industry and that they are anxious to develop it. As I say, I had hoped that Clogherhead would be chosen. As it has not been chosen, I am at least glad that a considerable amount of construction work is being done in the way of the development of the harbour there.
Recently, the people in Clogherhead were rather anxious with regard to the progress being made on this development work. They claimed the work was not proceeding as rapidly as it should. The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance has told me that the work is progressing at the rate at which they expected it would progress and that there is no reason why it should not finish on the scheduled date. I hope this forecast will prove to be accurate, and at the moment I think it should prove so.
I have been interested in the marketing of fish since I become a member of this House. Before coming here, I often wondered why we had such a small consumption, per head of the population, of fish in a country like Ireland which is a maritime country. I have come to the conclusion, having done some research into this matter some years ago, that the main factors involved which cause our difficulty are marketing and distribution. I think we can only say that our system of distribution in this country is notoriously bad. Supplies are irregular even in villages and towns close to fishing ports. Our people generally never get the opportunity of acquiring a taste for fish. Perhaps, more important still is the fact that the housewife is unable to plan meals on the basis of using fish because she can never be sure she will get it.
I am glad to note that the Parliamentary Secretary in his statement has said that an effort will now be made to get certain retailers throughout the country to stock fresh and frozen fish. This will be a worthwhile start. If we are to do this effectively, it will be necessary to carry out a very extensive advertising campaign. This could be done in the papers — local papers as well as national papers — and on television.
I feel that if we were simply to make these stocks available in shops, considering our present low consumption of fish, without making an effort to advertise the fact that these fish were available in certain places then the fish would be unlikely to be bought. For that reason, it is essential that when we do come to the point at which certain people all over the country will be stocking the fish we should endeavour to the best of our ability to let the community there know that this fish is available and that it will be available at regular intervals.
I was glad, also, to note in the Parliamentary Secretary's statement that he recognises the very worthwhile importance of the home market. While the home market is an important base for most industries I think there is no industry for which it is so important as this one. It is essential that we should develop our export trade by first building a sure foundation in the home market for the obvious reason that export sales change very rapidly. We may have a very good export trade at one period and a not so good one at another period. Unless our fishermen are guaranteed a market we shall continue to have the difficulties we have always experienced.
Again, with regard to the home market, the White Paper mentions various suggestions as to how it may be improved. I do not need to mention them here. I hope the policy which is adopted in this White Paper will be pushed on vigorously.
I have had some complaints from fishermen in my constituency in regard to imports. Perhaps the Parliamentary Secretary would give a detailed explanation as to why certain imports are allowed in when it appears to us that there is no need for them. I appreciate that at certain times in the year if we are to keep up a regular supply and if we have not got sufficient supplies of fish at home it is necessary to import. We have found, however, on some occasions in my constituency that fish were imported when we had in fact enough fish.
With regard to the export trade I notice that it is laid down that there will be a standard of quality necessary before fish are allowed to be exported. We recognise that this is, of course, essential in any industry if we are, not only to break into a market, but to hold it and in regard to fish it is most essential that the quality be high.
I do not think that to speak on the development of sea fishing as a tourist attraction would be in order on this Estimate but I should like the Parliamentary Secretary to give some consideration to providing some money towards the construction of boats for that purpose. We have excellent fishing grounds in my constituency for that purpose. Quite recently what I might term the newly developed fishery at Carlingford Lough has come to the fore. A month ago 5,249 pounds of fish were landed there. That is an attraction to anyone in any country who is interested in fishing and it would be a very considerable encouragement if the Parliamentary Secretary could devote some of the funds available to him towards helping to provide more boats, or to pay part of the construction costs.
The matter of the fishery limits has been mentioned. Naturally we are very anxious that the fishery limits should be extended. We all recognise that there are difficulties but we hope the Parliamentary Secretary and the Government will push with all their might in an endeavour to get agreement on this question which, in my estimation, is of vital importance to the fishing community. It has been said here, from the Fine Gael benches I think, by one speaker that he did not think there was any point in having the limits extended as we do not have sufficient protection boats to look after them.
I would be inclined to take the opposite view. If the bulk of the fish are within the three mile limit it would be easier for a small fleet of protection boats like the one we have to see that the foreign trawlers are kept outside the limit by the fact that they would be illegally inside our waters if they were inside a 12 mile limit.
There is one point I wish to make regarding the pollution of the Boyne. We have very considerable numbers of complaints from fishermen on the Boyne regarding pollution and Bord na Móna appear to be the worst offenders. The Parliamentary Secretary has already endeavoured to deal with this matter and I should like to conclude now by thanking him very sincerely for coming to Drogheda for discussions with the Board of Conservators, and for the manner in which he has since endeavoured to deal with the matters put before him.
