asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government are pursuing the question of providing a 50-mile exclusive fishery limit for Ireland; and if he will state when he expects a firm decision on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fishery Limit.
21.
In the current discussions on the review of the EEC common fisheries policy arising out of the probable establishment of 200-mile economic zones as a result of the United Nations Law of the Sea Conference we have made it clear that Ireland will require a substantial exclusive zone up to 50 miles from our base lines. Our case is based on the need for conservation of fish stocks and on the regional importance of the industry.
In our view these grounds justify the exclusion of fishermen from other member states who have traditionally fished off our coasts, save to the extent that as part of a general arrangement involving adequate quotas for Irish fishermen in the 200-mile economic zone some provision might be made in an outer part of the proposed exclusive fishing zone for artisanal fishermen from ports in other member countries who have traditionally fished off our coasts, and who use boats of limited size and engine power.
The attitude of the different member states varies considerably in this matter and negotiations are likely to be protracted.
Can the Minister state what obstacles are being placed in the Government's way in trying to achieve this 50-mile exclusive limit?
The terms of the Acquisition Treaty negotiated in 1971 provide for a common fisheries policy under which there will be no exclusive zone whatever after 1982 unless agreement is reached unanimously on some alternative arrangement. Our problem is, starting from that somewhat weak bargaining position which we inherited, to achieve a satisfactory outcome. Clearly, other countries have divergent interests. These have to be reconciled in a result which will safeguard our legitimate interests and be acceptable to the other countries concerned.
Do I take it that if there is an agreement with the member states the 50-mile limit would not be reached?
Unless agreement is reached on some new arrangement which we are now attempting to negotiate, we are left with the situation negotiated by the previous Government in 1971 but I would be hopeful that some new arrangement will be reached which will protect our interests and I think the basis on which it is being approached is the one most likely to yield this result.
Question No. 22.
In the event of agreement not being reached, is it contemplated that unilateral action might be taken by the Government in this matter?
There is no unilateral action we can take. We adhered to the EEC on certain terms negotiated by the previous Government. Its laws are directly applicable here in respect of our territory and we are bound by them as we are bound by our own Constitution. Our problem is to renegotiate this on a basis that will salvage the situation and give us a satisfactory result for our fishermen who are at present suffering severely from the inroads made into fish stocks off our coasts through overfishing by fishermen from other states, including member states of the Community.
One final supplementary.
It must be final, Deputy. I have given the Deputy a lot of latitude.
The Minister has laid emphasis on the negotiations in 1971. Would he accept that at that time we were outside the EEC and very anxious to get inside? Would he not agree that the Government are now, as full members of the EEC, in a much stronger position to negotiate on this matter and get the terms that the fishermen are so anxiously trying to get?
We are obviously in a stronger position to negotiate inside than outside, but our starting point of the negotiations is a difficult one. I do not wish in anything I have said to reflect on the terms negotiated. There was a difficulty in that these countries decided to adopt this common fisheries policy before our entrance which I regarded as unfair and objectionable, but we were faced with a fait accompli. Nobody should have any illusions as to the problems facing us in achieving an improvement starting from that very unsatisfactory position.