asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the reason for the delay in setting up fishermen's producers' organisations; the efforts made to set up these organisations; and when these efforts first started.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fishermen's Producers' Organisations.
9.
Under EEC regulations the initiative in setting up producers' organisations in the fishery sector rests with the producers themselves. Because of the important role of such organisations in the operation of the EEC common fisheries policy, my Department have been actively encouraging their establishment since late 1972. I have personally availed of every suitable opportunity to bring home to fishermen the importance of these organisations. I also arranged for An Bord Iascaigh Mhara and the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society to make a special joint effort to have at least one such organisation formed
I am glad to say that a national producers' organisation have now been set up and have applied to my Department for recognition as required under the EEC rules.