asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry, arising out of his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 396 of 29 February 1984, the reason he was unable to give the amount of arrears in Fishermen's Accounts at 31 December 1983 in view of the fact that the Irish Fish Producers Organisation had this information to 31 October 1983 (details supplied); and the reason public representatives do not have a right to similar information.
Written Answers. - Arrears of Fishermen's Accounts.
412.
As indicated in a footnote to the table furnished in reply to Parliamentary Question No. 396, audited accounts are not yet available for the year ended 31 December 1983 and, accordingly, a firm figure for that year is not yet available. However, the provisional (unaudited) figure is £6.2 million.
413.
asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if, arising out of Parliamentary Question No. 397 of 29 February 1984 he will ask the Sectoral Consultative Committee for the Fishing Industry to take an immediate look at arrears of Fishermen's Accounts as at 29 February 1984; and if he will issue a special report and recommendations in this regard.
I understand that this committee have now completed their deliberations and that their report to the Sectoral Development Committee is virtually complete. I would propose to await the committee's report before deciding whether to take the action indicated.