asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is aware of recent EEC modernisation discussions on fisheries which aim at discarding small boats and retiring fishermen between the ages of 55 and 65; if the Government have been represented at these discussions; and if any study has been made as to the effects this policy is likely to have on the industry in this country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fisheries Modernisation.
14.
I take it that the Deputy is referring to a proposal for aiding the restructuring of the inshore fishing industry of the EEC generally which was put forward by the Commission in November, 1975.
Officials of my Department have been participating in discussions at Community level on this proposal which is the subject of detailed study at present both departmentally and by the various interests within the fishing industry here.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary say if these discussions are likely to have any effect on inshore fishermen and part-time fishermen?
No conclusions have yet been reached and, as far as I am concerned, whatever will emerge from the discussions will be put to the fishing organisations and no hard and fast decisions will be reached without this House and the organisations being made fully aware of what is happening. I think that is the best way to deal with it.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that grave concern has been expressed by fishermen's organisations in Britain, and possibly here also, because of these proposals and would he ensure that our inshore fishermen's interests are protected?
From what I know, and it is a great deal, their interests will not be affected to any great extent unless we change our attitude. The Deputy will appreciate that this question of retirement for people over 55 years also affects farmers and others. The matter is at an early stage and I am satisfied that any conclusions reached or any decisions taken will be communicated in advance to all the interests concerned. It is very hard to say what regulations may be made and I think the best thing to do is to communicate any proposed regulations in advance of any decisions made to the parties concerned.
Are the people participating in these discussion on our behalf totally against this proposal to lay people off after 55 years of age and is the Parliamentary Secretary alive to the fact that there is no comparison between our situation in which fishing is a growing industry and the situation in countries in which it is a developed industry? There is also no comparison, or very little, between the situation of the farmer and that of the fisherman.
I am pleased to inform Deputy Blaney that we are quite alive to this.
I cannot hear the Parliamentary Secretary.
We are quite alive to this in the Fisheries Branch and there is the added advantage that the senior people there, as the House will appreciate, are fully conversant with the situation.
Are we against the proposal?
These people are fully conversant with all aspects and they will do everything in their power to ensure that the position which will obtain will be generally helpful to our fishermen and, instead of putting fishermen out of work, the opposite will happen. More will be taken on.
Question No. 15.
Are we against this proposal?
Order. I have called the next question.
The proposals are only at the discussion stage.
Are we against the proposals?
Order.
We are.