asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the number of applications for boats over 80 feet now with BIM.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - BIM Boat Applications.
7.
An Bord Iascaigh Mhara have 15 applications for new vessels over 80 feet at present. Eleven of these are on order and four applications are under investigation.
Are they the only applications with BIM for boats over 80 feet for this year?
As I mentioned, there are 11 boats on order and four applications are under investigation. There are four timber boats on order from Irish boat yards. Three steel boats are also on order with Irish boat yards. I am glad that the Irish boat yards are now providing steel boats. The order for one timber boat was placed in a foreign country. The order for three steel boats was also placed in a foreign country.
Why?
The applications are being determined at present for three timber boats to be manufactured in Irish boat yards, the choice of the applicants. One steel boat under investigation is also from an Irish boat yard.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary anticipate that we will have more than 15 applicants for boats within the next year or two years? Is there any indication that we will have more applications for this year?
The question relates to boats in excess of 80 feet. We anticipate that we will have close on 18 new boats in the coming year.
Do the figures given by the Parliamentary Secretary represent a fall off in demand for boats this year?
No.