asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry the supplier of the boats purchased by the Western Regional Fisheries Board in 1983; where the boats were built; the number of tenders received; and the newspapers where the advertisements for tender were placed.

I am informed that the boats purchased by the Western Regional Fisheries Board in 1983 were supplied by two dealers — Burke Boats, Ballinrobe, and Corrib Boats, Oughterard.

Tenders were sought by telephone from all known boat suppliers in the country.

The boats were built in Wales. No suitable similar type boat is built here.