asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries what steps have been taken to safeguard the interests of those engaged in the fishing industry in the event of Ireland joining the EEC.
35.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Membership of EEC.
34.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the position concerning the likely effects on Ireland's fishing limits of joining the EEC.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 35 together.
The question of common access to fishery waters as provided for in the common fisheries policy of the European Communities was raised by the Irish delegation at the Ministerial meetings with the Communities, who agreed to take careful note of our views. The Irish delegation has submitted a comprehensive memorandum on the subject and it was also further discussed at a meeting in Brussels on 20th October with the Communities. It is intended to pursue the matter further in the course of the entry negotiations.
Is the Minister aware of the grave concern expressed by fishermen on our access to the EEC if our fishery waters are thrown open to European countries?
Yes, I am so aware and this concern is being expressed in the proper quarter in the discussions which are at present going on in Brussels.
Can the Minister tell the House what assurances he got from the Common Market countries in view of the fact that they now have adopted a Common Market policy for fisheries and Ireland was not even consulted when this policy was adopted?
This whole subject is still the subject of negotiation with the Community in Brussels at the present time and I do not think it is appropriate, therefore, to go into it further here and now.
Is the Minister aware of the helpful, informal suggestions made by Dr. Mansholt at the recent seminar in Dublin in response to a question I put to him on the subject? Will he follow up those suggestions?
Every suggestion which is helpful to the interests of the Irish fishermen the House can rest assured will be followed to its utmost.
Is the Minister aware of the suggestion made?
I am not aware of the suggestion that Deputy FitzGerald is referring to. It has not been brought to my notice.
Will the Minister make inquiries of his officials who were present at the meeting?
I am quite certain they will be aware of it. If Deputy FitzGerald cares to, he could get in touch with me and inform me of it.
Have any joint discussions and joint actions taken place or are any planned with the Norwegians who have an identical problem to ours and who have in fact been raising the subject much more vigorously at the Commission and at a much earlier stage than we have? Do we propose to concert our efforts with other applicant countries who have similar problems and similar interests?
Every helpful aspect and every helpful approach to our particular problem in this particular regard will be explored and fully exploited.