asked the Minister for Fisheries if, as stated in the Press, the Department of Finance has sanctioned the scheme put up by his Department for the revaluation of boats and gear purchased by fishermen since 1917, and if the Minister will now state the broad features of his scheme for revaluation, and when he proposes to put it into operation.

The Minister for Finance has given his approval to proposals submitted by me for writing down certain loans advanced to fishermen for the purchase of large fishing vessels and their equipment between the years 1917 and 1923.

I understand that the Minister for Finance intends submitting these proposals to the Dáil for ratification in due course, but in the meantime, I may state for the information of the Deputy, that it is intended to write down the amounts advanced in these years to a figure which represents an increase of 20 per cent. on the 1914 costs. This will involve a writing off of 25 per cent. on the 1917 loans, 33? per cent. off the 1918 loans, 43 per cent. off the 1919 loans, and 48 per cent. off the loans advanced during 1920, 1921, 1922 and 1923. My Department will give immediate effect to these proposals when they have been ratified.