asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries (1) the number of boats purchased by Irish fishermen in France which needed repair owing to wood disease; (2) the cost of repair for each boat; (3) the length of fishing time lost by each boat; and (4) what progress has been made in recovering damages.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Boat Purchases.
47.
I have been informed by An Bord Iascaigh Mhara that, of nine fishing vessels which were purchased in France in recent years with the aid of grants from the board, repairs were found to be necessary on two of the vessels due to defects in the timber. These two vessels were laid up from June, 1970 to February, 1971 while repairs were being effected. A further five of the vessels are understood to have varying degrees of rot damage but they have continued to fish. They are due to be surveyed shortly.
Details are not available in my Department of the cost of repair of the vessels as such transactions are of a private nature between the fishermen involved and the boatyard. It is understood that negotiations are in train between the fishermen and the boat builders in the matter of damages but this matter is also of a private nature.