asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if he is aware of the seriously damaging effects of the Government's financial cut-backs on the whole inland fisheries development prospects and the action he proposes to take to remedy the situation.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Inland Fisheries Development.
11.
The allocations to fisheries boards for inland fisheries development work in any year depend on the amount voted in the annual Estimate for my Department. Due to the present economic situation it has not been possible to finance the boards to the degree sought by them. However, with prudent management of the funds provided, I am confident that the boards can provide for reasonable fisheries development work.
The Minister must be aware that there is now widespread criticism throughout the inland fisheries structure, at both central and regional level, of the totally inadequate funding being provided by the Department to enable the board to do the work they are statutorily obliged to do. At this stage the inland fisheries protection, development and conservation services are almost at a standstill, if not in danger of collapse.
Put a question, Deputy, please.
The Minister will be aware that there is a severe financial shortage in every regional area. In view of this, would he not at this stage make some indication to the board as to what additional finances they can expect before the end of this year? This is in order to enable them to carry out their statutory responsibilities.
It would be very strong of me to raise any expectations on anybody's part in relation to extra finances being available for the rest of this year. The simple fact is that the finances are not there. I shall not go into the reasons for that.
Is the Minister fully aware of the seriousness of the situation——
I am not going to allow an argument. The Deputy has asked a question and has got an answer. He cannot debate it.
The Government are bankrupt.
I can ask a supplementary question arising out of the Minister's reply. We are moving pretty well through the questions and are co-operating with the Minister in getting the questions replied to. The Minister must surely be aware that at present pollution officers are grounded——
That is debate on the Estimate.
They have used up the finances available for inland fisheries.
Deputy Daly, that is not a question. I cannot allow that and do not intend to.
The staff are at rockbottom.
The Deputy may seek to raise that matter on the Adjournment, if he want to.
I am asking the Minister now what he proposes to do about it.
May I answer that query, a Cheann Comhairle? The position is that the allocations made to regional boards are not adequate in their eyes, nor am I satisfied that they are getting adequate resources. I should much prefer if they were getting a lot more. The fact remains that we are having serious economic problems. As I said before, I shall not go into that area because if I did, the Deputy would have to defend his side of the House very strongly.
I am not going to have a debate from either side of the House. I am moving to the next question. Would the Minister please answer Question No. 12?