asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if it is proposed to buy the fishmeal jetty and premises at Mornington, County Meath, for the use of Clogherhead fishermen, County Louth.

: My Department have no proposal for the purchase of the fishmeal jetty and premises at Mornington, County Meath. However, in view of the fact that the berthage facilities at present being enjoyed by the fishermen at the jetty may not continue to be available in the future my Department are considering the feasibility of providing alternative berthage in the area.

: Is the Minister aware that there are 29 boats in Clogherhead, that the dock there caters for only 15 boats and that the other 14 boats must go elsewhere to get moorings? Is he further aware that some of these boats are moored at Mornington? In the circumstances, can he state what plans he has for the boats which will no longer be able to use the jetty at Mornington if his Department do not buy the jetty?

: The company which owns the jetty is in liquidation. My Department have no plans to purchase any of the assets of that company. Because the jetty and the plant are complementary one cannot be separated from the other. There is a possibility of providing a jetty about 400 yards downstream from the fishmeal premises for the sole use of the fishermen. That is being considered as a temporary measure pending the improvement of the facilities at Clogherhead.

: If the fishermen find the jetty suitable, and had to find it suitable for quite a considerable period, can the Minister state why his Department are now refusing to buy the jetty and the premises?

: It is a matter for the Department to decide whether public money should be spent on the purchase of assets of that nature. In this case it was decided that this asset should not be purchased by the State.

: If the jetty were to be sold in the near future, what alternative arrangements would the Minister have for the boats moored there at present?

: We have been in touch with the liquidator who up to now has given the fishermen facilities for berthing there. In the event of the jetty being purchased we have suggested that the new purchaser might provide the same facilities as have been provided up to now for the local fishermen. In the event of that not being possible — and the Deputy will appreciate that the liquidator cannot insist on such conditions of sale — the Department will look at the possibility of providing temporary facilities about 400 yards downstream until such time as Clogherhead is available to them for berthing.

: Will the Minister state what arrangements are being made in respect of temporary facilities at the moment?

: We are awaiting the outcome of the sale.

9.