asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he has received a complaint from a Dutch fish firm that they were prepared to pay £5 per cran for herrings which were sold for £4 10s per cran; if there is any reason why the fish were not sold to the highest bidder at a herring auction in Dunmore East, County Waterford early this month; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Herring Prices.
35.
I am aware of the incident referred to in the question and, as I informed the House in the course of the recent debate on the Fisheries Vote, I deplore the discord which has existed at Dunmore East for some time and which is not in the best interests of the Irish fishing industry.
Under existing arrangements the marketing of fish at Dunmore East and elsewhere is carried out by private interests and any disputes that arise are a matter for settlement by normal procedures.
I intend to introduce at an early date a Bill relating to major fishery harbour centres, including Dunmore East, which will provide, inter alia, for the control of auctioning at those harbours.