asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if he is aware of the serious loss of income and lowering of living standards of fishermen and their families resulting from the current restrictions on fishing and the proposals, if any, to alleviate the situation.

I do not accept that there have been significant financial losses to Irish fishermen resulting from current restrictions on fishing. I can assure the Deputy that any such restrictions in force at present are fully warranted on the basis of scientific advice. My primary concern has been at all times to ensure that the fishermen's long-term interests are protected by adequate conservation measures.

6.

asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry when it is intended to lift the ban on herring fishing.

The most recent scientific advice available recommends the continued closure of the herring fisheries in the Celtic Sea and off the west of Scotland and north-west of Ireland during 1980. I am at present examining these recommendations, which are to be discussed at the EEC Council of Fisheries Ministers later this month— next Monday in fact.

Is the Minister aware of the difficulties which many of those people have in paying instalments due to the fact that they cannot fish for the next three to four months and have no other way of earning their livelihood or paying their instalments?

I understand the position fully.

What has the Minister done about it? Is it true that he told a deputation last week, when they told him that they were in difficulties and many of them could not live and pay the instalments, that that was their business? Is that true?

It is not. The facts——

Let us have the facts.

There was a very full statement in the newspapers. As far as BIM are concerned, all the repayments will be looked at sympathetically and there will be a deferment of repayment in any cases of hardship. The closure in regard to the Celtic Sea is in the interests of the conservation of the herring fisheries for the benefit of the fishermen concerned. The fishermen recognise this, although Deputy L'Estrange may not. The closure of the Celtic Sea was first introduced, rightly, by the Coalition Government three years ago. We are maintaining that closure. I hope that all will take a responsible attitude in this matter because the conservation of fish stocks is basic to the conservation of fishing peoples and the communities in which they are involved. The whole thing is interlocked and I am satisfied that the responsible people in our fishing communities recognise what I am saying as being absolutely right.

We all agree with the conservation of fishing stocks, but is the Minister aware that the fishermen do not recognise the facts as he has stated them? They are not satisfied when Dutch boats can come in, sweep up the herrings, and get away with them with no proper supervision while Irishmen are prosecuted if they go out to fish for herring. Is that not true? We have no way of guaranteeing that they took 170,000. They could have taken 500,000.

I am sorry that Deputy White and Deputy Deasy are not here, because they have been making eloquent appeals to me in a responsible manner to be strong on the conservation of fishing stocks, be it herring or salmon. Deputy L'Estrange might stop straying into an area about which he knows very little.

We know that the Dutch catch is more than 170,000 and the Minister cannot prove to the contrary.