asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the reason for the delay in improving the landing facilities for fishermen, including the extension of the pier, at Garnish near Castletownbere, County Cork.

My Department received the engineering report from the Office of Public Works about this landing place on 29th March, 1976. This report is being examined in my Department.

Is the Parlimentary Secretary aware that in spite of the fact that I raised questions about this pier on numerous occasions it is still in a condition which is not conducive to the promotion of the fishing industry? The pier is dangerous. Will the Parliamentary Secretary tell the House the reason for the long delay on the part of his Department in examining the report from the Office of Public Works?

There has not been a long delay. We got the report at the end of March and the fishermen, or their representatives, must be consulted again. We are spending a sizeable amount of money in the Berehaven area this year. When the Castletownbere project is completed we will have more money to move around to other areas.

Is the Parlimentary Secretary aware that in stormy weather, because of the dangerous condition of the pier, it is impossible for fishermen to make any landings? When were the fishermen of Garnish last consulted in relation to the report which was received by his Department last March?

I know Garnish very well and I am anxious that repairs are carried out to this pier to help the fishermen. That is receiving my active attention.

When were the fishermen consulted last?

I said that it may be necessary to consult the fishermen.

26.

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is aware of the serious lack of harbour and landing facilities at Bere Island, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

My Department have asked the Office of Public Works to furnish engineering reports and estimates of costs in respect of improvement works at three landing places on Bere Island, County Cork— Goleen, Oilean na gCaorach and Cloonaghlin. Until those reports are received and examined I cannot say what works may be approved in the fisheries interest at these landing places.

When was the report requested from the Office of Public Works?

We requested the report on 18th April, 1975.

Does the Parliamentary Secretary consider it most unsatisfactory that a report requested 18 months ago has not been delivered by the Office of Public Works yet?

The Office of Public Works say they are short of staff. For almost 20 years I tried to get Fianna Fáil to move on such improvements when I represented Bere Island but I did not get much satisfaction. Now we are taking a closer look at this question. It will be appreciated that we are expending in the region of £182,000 in Castletownbere this year. That is only a few miles from Bere Island. When we have completed the major harbour works there we will move along, possibly to Bere Island and other centres.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the farmers on the island cannot get any lime or fertiliser from the mainland? Is he further aware that no development can take place on the island until the piers and harbours are improved? They were damaged considerably in recent years.

I am not so aware and exaggerating the position will not be helpful in any way. I know Bere Island better than the Deputy does.