asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry the reason Donegal fishing vessels are landing mackerel catches in Derry.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mackerel Catch Landings.
9.
It is a matter for individual trawler skippers where they land their catches. I must assume that landings are made at the most convenient port having regard to such factors as the location of the fishing grounds and the availability of markets and services.
Will the Minister not accept that the reason the boats land in Derry is that the conditions at Rathmullan Pier are so bad that they cannot land there?
I do not agree. It would seem they land at Derry for reasons of convenience. In the early part of the season, as the Deputy knows, the location of the fishery is adjacent to Derry harbour and that is the most convenient harbour. Possibly that is their reason for using it. I would point out that 8,900 tonnes of fish were landed in Derry out of a total catch of 119,000 tonnes.
It has been made quite clear by deputations and otherwise that the facilities at Rathmullan have been complained about by the fishermen over a considerable period. It was conveyed that unless minimal improvements were made Derry would take over although Rathmullan obviously is more convenient. Is the Minister ignoring the fact that in going up the Foyle 15 miles to Derry, totally out of their way, fishermen are also passing Greencastle which, due to silting of the existing harbour and the failure of successive Governments to extend the works at that harbour, is not capable of taking these boats? It is wrong to suggest that this is happening because of the convenience of Derry. It is totally inconvenient.
I agree with the Deputy that convenience is not the exclusive reason. I would agree that possibly the facilities at Rathmullan and Greencastle are not attractive. As the Deputy knows we have been talking about this elsewhere and the next question on the Order Paper will deal with that.