asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is aware of the necessity of establishing a processing plant in Cromane, Killorglin. County Kerry, for the canning and packaging of mussels for export in view of the fact that the high freightage charges are leaving an uneconomic return for the fishermen who export them in shell form in the traditional way; and the steps his Department will take to have the plant established.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mussel Industry.
9.
The establishment of a processing plant at Cromane or elsewhere in the State is a matter in the first instance for private enterprise. Assistance is afforded by An Bord Iascaigh Mhara and the Industrial Development Authority in the establishment of such plants and grants are available for suitable projects.
10.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if it is intended to have plantings of seed mussels in Castlemaine Harbour County Kerry, this year; and, if so, the extent of these plantings.
The transplanting of seed mussels in Castlemaine Harbour has been organised in the past by the local fishermen's cooperative society with the aid of grant assistance from An Bord Iascaigh Mhara. So far this year no application for a grant has been received by the Board from the society although the matter has been discussed by board officials with officers of the society.
The extent of the transplantations that may be possible will depend on the quantity of seed mussels available and the level of the society's commitment.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary feel that his Department are doing enough regarding the transplantation of mussels around the coast?
The question tabled by Deputy O'Connor refers to Castlemaine harbour. The Deputy is expanding on the question.
The Department would like more interest in this enterprise and would welcome it and support it by advice and, in a limited way, by grants. We are completely in favour of transplantation.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that this requires a special type of boat and that the Department have not one of these boats and must depend on hiring one? Last year there was a backlog of six or eight months before they could get a boat suitable for doing this work.
It is true that the scale of transplanting that can be carried out in any year is related to the stocks of the sea mussels that exist and the number of boats that are available to carry out this work and the time available. The Department are quite helpful to any interests engaged in this work, and so are An Bord Iascaigh Mhara.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary feel that the Department concerned are doing enough?
I feel that my Department are doing enough but we would like to do more if we had more help from outside.