asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state the total value of the escallops exported from Bantry Bay and Dunmanus Bay for the season ending 31st March, 1937, and the amount of bounties paid on same, and if he will consider giving a bounty equivalent to the full tariff for the coming season so as to encourage and protect this precarious industry.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Exports of Escallops.
Dr. Ryan
The total value, as assessed for British customs duty, of escallops exported from Bantry Bay and Dunmanus Bay during the season ended 31st March, 1937, in respect of which claims for export bounty have so far been made by exporters, amounts to £1,026. The amount of bounty paid on the exports in question to date amounts to £25; the balance, amounting to £129, will, it is anticipated, be paid in the course of the next few weeks. As regards the last part of his question, I would refer the Deputy to my reply to his question of 3rd February last on the same subject, in which I stated that if it should be decided to grant a bounty on escallops in respect of the 1937-38 season, I shall have all the relevant circumstances carefully reviewed before a rate is fixed for this season.