asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if he will make a full statement on the payment of £396,000 by Bord Iascaigh Mhara to a Cork boatbuilder following a recent High Court arbitration hearing.

The boat-building firm in question instituted proceedings for damages against BIM mainly on the grounds of alleged breaches of contract. By agreement of both parties the matter was referred to arbitration. The amount of the award made by the arbitrator, less an amount due by the firm, has been paid by BIM.