asked the Minister for Fisheries if he is aware that the lack of marine services on the west coast is a hindrance to the efficient operation of this country's fishing fleet; and if his Department have any plans to remedy this unsatisfactory situation.

I am not so aware and, therefore, the second part of the question does not arise.

Is the Minister aware that, in the case of trawlers operating from Galway or Mayo, if repairs are needed for echo sounders or matters of that type, and even in the case of the breakdown, it has been found necessary to have the trawlers towed either to Killybegs, or Dingle, or Baltimore for repairs?

Boat repair facilities are provided for hull and machinery repair for big and small vessels at the board's boatyards at Killybegs, Dingle and Baltimore. Similar activities are also provided at a private boat yard at Mevagh, County Donegal. The marine coast radio stations at Valentia and Malin Head are the responsibility of the Minister for Transport and Power but are available for communication in the event of a trawler breaking down. In 1973, the Taoiseach opened the Decca navigating system. This electronic aid enables fishermen on the west coast to pinpoint their position at sea with complete accuracy, and thus return with the minimum of effort to the most profitable fishing grounds on the second occasion. The segment of the system to assist fishermen off the west coast of Ireland—other coasts were covered by an overspill from the British network—was formally commissioned on 31st May, 1973, and has been fully operational since. The Irish segment consists of a master station at Rinville, Oranmore, County Galway, and subsidiary "slave" stations located at Falchorrib, Dungloe, County Donegal, Ballydavid, Dingle, County Kerry, and Ardmore, County Waterford.

The Minister has actually borne out what I said in my question. There is no area between Killybegs and Dingle——

A question please.

I am about to ask a question. Would the Minister let us know what his Department are doing about trying to provide slipways, and so on, to help fishermen on the west coast who have not got the facility of having repairs carried out when they have a breakdown.

The marine coast radio stations—and I have done it myself—at Valentia and Malin Head can provide a telephone call immediately to the fishermen's home or to anybody who is going to repair his boat through the ordinary coastal services. At that point in time, a trawler can take off from any of the three positions I have outlined and, on the basis of approximately three to five hours steaming, be with the trawler in trouble. and get that trawler out of trouble. That is a complete coverage of the situation as far as trawlers are concerned.

Is the Minister saying it is a satisfactory situation that if an Aran trawler breaks down on the west coast he has to have that boat towed to Dingle or Killybegs for repairs?

Yes, and nobody on the Deputy's side of the House ever got his feet wet and I know that.

I cannot accept the Minister's reply. In view of the fact that we have EEC grants and help available to us to provide the necessary facilities, is the Minister saying it is good enough to have these people treated in this manner?

If "this manner" is taken to indicate an improper manner, that is not so. I know that any trawler man in trouble with an engine breakdown can be in contact within minutes with the boatyard involved and have help on the way through the coast radio stations. As I have told the Deputy, I have done it myself.

Question No. 18 postponed.

19.