asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the number of BIM boatyards in operation at present; and the size and types of boats they are capable of building.

An Bord Iascaigh Mhara operate three boatyards which are capable of building vessels up to 90 feet long in wood and of fitting out steel hulls up to the same size.

Has the Parliamentary Secretary any information as to the future of the yards? Can he tell the House if it is the intention of any of the boatyards to engage in the building of steel hulls?

That is the intention. The Deputy will appreciate that it is only recently that the demand for steel hulls came about. The yards expect to be able to measure up to the demand. I expect that the yards of BIM will be building steel hull boats in the not-too-distant future.

Do I take it that these yards are not ready at present? When do they propose to do this work?

BIM are considering proposals for providing their yards with facilities for the building of steel hull vessels. The Irish market for steel hull vessels is, as I mentioned, a relatively low one.

5.