asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the size and number of steel fishing trawlers imported since January, 1975; the effect of these imports on employment in boat building yards; and whether such boats could have been built in Baltimore boatyard, County Cork.

One new 85-foot and one new 128-foot steel trawlers were imported by Irish fishermen since January, 1975. These imports did not affect employment in Irish boatbuilding yards. Steel vessels cannot be built at Baltimore boatyard.

In view of the potential employment content some effort should be made to get those steel hulled boats, which seem to be in great demand, built in this country. I ask the Parliamentary Secretary to make every endeavour to see that this is done.

I shall certainly do so.