asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if it is intended to increase the interest rates on loans for the purchase of fishing boats through Bord lascaigh Mhara.

My Department have received certain proposals from An Bord lascaigh Mhara for the restructuring of the board's marine credit plan to resolve, inter alia, differences in repayment conditions arising from the payment of different levels of capital grants. The proposals are being studied, and as yet I have not taken any decisions in the matter.

Do the suggestions being studied propose to increase boat loans from 8 per cent to 14 per cent?

The matter is under consideration.

The Minister must have this information before him.

Yes, but he is considering many other matters as well.

This is very important.

I know and the Minister recognises that.

I do not want a debate across the floor. This is Question Time.