John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)

Regrettably, there is no budget in my Department that might allow us to invest directly in such a product. There is no precedent for it and nothing in any Vote in my Department's Estimates that would legally allow me to sanction funds for the purchase of the fishery. Unfortunately, that rules out a role of the Department in that aspect. Unquestionably, the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources comes into play through the Central Fisheries Board and the South Western Regional Fisheries Board. They have been known to purchase fisheries, but they say that they do not have the resources to enable them to become involved with this fishery. In any event, they also state that, from their research and investigations, it is for various reasons not a fishery that would be of interest to them.

That leaves us with Údarás na Gaeltachta, since the area concerned is in the Gaeltacht. Therefore, the very best hope of making the acquisition is through Údarás na Gaeltachta, which is, after all, concerned with the development of Gaeltacht regions. I must be honest and say that it has been relatively sympathetic in this respect, as has the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív. I am grateful to him for his interest. It remains to be seen whether an tÚdarás will be able to provide tangible assistance towards acquiring the fishery. However, since all other avenues are closed, it represents the best hope.