asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the conditions under which the fish-freeze plant at Galway was transferred to private enterprise.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Galway Fish-Freeze Plant.
25.
I assume the Deputy is referring to the Bord Iascaigh Mhara fish processing factory at Galway. These premises have recently been leased to Sealove Limited for a trial period to 6th December, 1968. The lessees have been given the option to purchase the factory then, or earlier, at an agreed valuation, or to lease for a further period at rent based on that valuation. This also applies to the Killybegs factory.
Is the firm the same?
This firm has been operating the two factories in a sort of partnership with an Bord Iascaigh Mahara up to now. This arrangement has not been satisfactory and has resulted in substantial losses to the Bord. Now this firm will lease these factories completely and operate them as fish-processing factories.
Can the Minister say if this firm is at present arranging to double the size of the Killybegs building?
I am not aware of it.
Is the Minister not aware of any intention to double production in Killybegs?
Production could easily be doubled with the existing structure. The trouble is that these factories have not had sufficient through-put.
The Minister will recall that these factories were initially provided to ensure that our fishermen would have sufficient markets for surplus prime fish. Under the new arrangement, is there any undertaking that surplus fish landed by Irish boat-owners will be taken?
Yes, the firm will take all the fish they can get from the existing suppliers. My information is that since this arrangement has come into being, they are taking greater quantities of fish than was the case before, and they will take all suitable supplies by Irish boat-owners.
The Minister will guarantee the interests of the Irish fishermen in this take-over?
That is what I am Minister for Fisheries for.
The Minister would not be Minister for Fish and Chips if I had my way.
That is a highly-skilled occupation.
The Deputy will forgive me if I say that my trust in his capacity is about equal to his of mine.
An et tu quoque is never rejoinder.