asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry the extent of the damage done by both red tide and brown tide affecting marine life, in particular sea trout stocks in the south west coast area; the steps his Department have taken to cope with the situation; and if he will take steps to compensate owners of sea farms for heavy losses sustained.

My information is that the only quantifiable damage to fish which could be attributed to the recent appearance of the phenomenon popularly known as red or brown tide off the south and south west coasts concerned fish in privately owned fish farms.

I have no funds at my disposal out of which I could pay compensation in any such case.

Might I ask the Minister what the experts say in respect of the chances of a recurrence of this problem and what are we doing to avert it?

I appreciate the Deputy's concern. I have looked into it in great detail. I am being candid here. It is a type of marine disease about which the experts are, frankly, puzzled as to cause. This is not just in Ireland but worldwide. At present they are investigating it. There is a special team working on this at present—internationally, not just nationally—to get to the root of the matter. It is a toxic substance caused by decomposition of large concentrations of fish life, not fish itself, but fish-associated life, marine organisms. They have not got down to the root of it yet. I have very detailed information on it here.

On behalf of all of the fish farms that suffer losses may I ask the Minister what EEC grants are available, or what percentage grants are available, for this type of development?

Precisely the same grants about which we have been talking—50 per cent.

Is there a condition that the Minister's Department must put up 5 per cent?

We require that something be put up by the promoter. The grant from EEC sources is 50 per cent for fish farming.

Is it not true that the Minister's Department have been denying people grants?

No, quite the reverse. We are very anxious to encourage fish farming for which Irish waters have very distinct climatic advantages, especially in regard to shellfish farming.

The Minister's Department have money available for such grants?

Yes.

Is the Minister satisfied that the losses sustained in respect of disease are not such as would cripple the people concerned and inhibit them from continuing this important activity?

I was also concerned when this matter arose during the summer. I went into it. The owners involved in the Cork outbreak—that is, West Cork Sea Farmers Limited—were insured against this and were compensated to that extent. I am afraid it is an occupational hazard until the scientists and experts get to the root of it. That is all I can say at this stage.