asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the estimated cost of equipping the inshore fleet with instruments and charts so that it can avail itself of the electronic navigational system, Decca, which is being provided; and what grant he proposes to make to fishermen to help them to meet the cost of the system.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Inshore Fleet Equipment.
28.
The receiving apparatus necessary to enable fishing boats to avail of the electronic navigational system is supplied on a rental basis only by the operating company and there are no capital costs involved for the boat owner apart from installation charges. Grant facilities are available from An Bord Iascaigh Mhara towards these charges. I do not propose to make grants available towards the cost of renting receiving apparatus or purchasing charts.
The capital cost of providing the system and the annual leasing and service charge for the transmitting equipment is being met from State funds.