asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if any exploratory fishing is being carried out by his Department to discover and quantify stocks of various species of fish, particularly off the west coast.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Exploratory Fishing.
13.
Exploratory fishing by my Department has had to be suspended recently because of the need for repairs to the research vessel Cú Feasa.
Do I take it that we are not having any exploratory work carried out at the moment in the fishery industry?
As I mentioned the Cú Feasa is laid up at present. I think it is not serviceable. That was the legacy we got from the former Government.
(Interruptions.)
As far as exploratory fishing is concerned nothing could be done with this old crock of a vessel. I am endeavouring to get two new vessels.
From Japan.
I hope we may get them from County Cork. I am sure that Deputy Gallagher is aware of the position so far as the Cú Feasa is concerned. I hope we will do what was not done before we came into office, that we will engage in a big way in this type of fishing in the not too distant future. I advise the Deputies to leave it to me.
(Interruptions.)
Can the Parliamentary Secretary tell the House what plans his Department have to have proper facilities provided for this kind of work in view of the fact that now we are about to have our limits extended and also that this kind of work will be very necessary for the whole fishing industry?
I regard that as very important. I have in mind, in addition to the new vessels which will become available, chartering a vessel for this kind of work because I believe it is of exceptional importance. The three other boats available are relatively small. This is how we will go about it: if possible to order new boats and, in the meantime, to charter boats from private sources.
Has the Parliamentary Secretary taken any positive steps to order these two new research vessels we heard so much about?
Yes. The positive steps are first of all to look for the money.
(Interruptions.)
Has that step been taken?
That step has been taken.
Did the Parliamentary Secretary run up against a stone wall?
So far as the Fisheries vote is concerned, the Minister for Finance and the Government doubled the money for fishery development and, as a result, we will be able to move through all sections of the industry.
A Deputy
The sooner you move the better.
Question No. 14.
This is a serious matter. I would like to ask the Parliamentary Secretary——
The Leas-Cheann Comhairle has called Question No. 14 and I will obey the Chair. I will read the answer.
When can we expect to have those two new vessels in operation?
How much money is provided in the 1976 Estimates for the planning and provision of additional research vessels? How much money is provided——
Details of the 1976 Estimates——
Deputies
Wait for it.
——have been submitted to Deputies and, if they want to ascertain the specific amounts for any particular item in the Fisheries Vote they can ask a question or go down to the Library and get a copy of the Book of Estimates.
Question No. 14.
Is it not true that no money has been provided in the 1976 Estimates for the planning and provision of additional research vessels?
The Deputy can read the Book of Estimates.
There is no money in the Estimates for new boats.
The Parliamentary Secretary dragged his anchor there.
The fishermen are getting very angry with the Parliament Secretary.
When was the vessel that was being used taken out of service and how much does the Parliamentary Secretary estimate it will take to repair it?
That is a separate question.
My view is that it is not worth repairing. You people over there used to repair it every other month.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary confine himself to answering the question instead of talking fairy tales and rubbish?
My view is that it is not worth repairing and that has been my view through the years.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary now contradicting the answer he gave at the beginning when he said the vessel was taken off for repairs?
The vessel was taken off for repairs but it is my view as head of the Department that it should not be repaired. I do not think it is worth repairing and I will not spend public funds on it.
(Interruptions.)
The Parliamentary Secretary does not know. He is not interested.