Vol. 298 No. 10
asked the Minister for Fisheries if his attention has been drawn to recent statements from Mr. Gundelach suggesting that the Government are about to modify their proposals in relation to unilateral action on this country's fishery limits; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
9.
asked the Minister for Fisheries the up-to-date position in relation to the unilateral action taken by the Government in the fishing industry.
10.
asked the Minister for Fisheries if any EEC States have submitted to the Government their fishing plans in relation to the 50-mile band of Irish coastal waters; and if he will state (a) the names of the countries who have submitted plans and (b) if the plans are acceptable to the Government.
11.
asked the Minister for Fisheries if he will furnish details of the fishery plans which the Government have submitted to the EEC.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 8, 9, 10 and 11 together. The Government decision taken at their meeting on 1st April to retain and enforce their unilateral measures for the conservation and management of fishery resources still stands. The Government also decided at that meeting to invite member states of the European Economic Community to submit fishing plans to the Irish Government for approval with a view to the introduction later by the Government of a scheme on the lines previously proposed by the EEC Commission as the basis of a Community measure.
Recent statements attributed to Mr. Gundelach seem to refer to the possible introduction of such a scheme here. Fishing plans have been submitted by the Netherlands, Belgium and the Federal Republic of Germany pursuant to that invitation and are being examined at present. The question of the Irish Government submitting fishing plans to the EEC does not arise.
In relation to Question No. 8, I should like to add something in relation to Deputy Gallagher's reference to a band of 50 miles of Irish coastal waters. The band at present being dealt with is not one of 50 miles but what I have taken the liberty of christening "the Irish box", the area bounded on the north 56 degrees, 30 minutes north latitude, 50 degrees, 30 minutes north latitude and 12 degrees west longitude. It is 100 miles, roughly, in spots from the Irish coast and 50 miles in others.
I must protest at the way in which the Minister has dealt with these questions. Each question dealt with a specific matter but he has taken all the questions together without dealing specifically with any of them. This shows a complete disregard for the House. Has the Minister seen Mr. Gundelach's statement and the statements by the fishermen which seem to indicate that the unilateral action the Government are supposed to have taken is not being fully implemented and that the fishermen do not accept that the Government are serious in trying to implement the action they have been talking about so loudly?
The Deputy may rest assured that I will provide for him all the information available to me in relation to each of the four questions, that I will help him in this regard in every way I can. I do not think the decision of my Department to have all four questions answered together matters very much because I will answer any Supplementary Questions put to me subject, of course, to the Chair's decision on when the matter should end. In relation to statements by Mr. Gundelach and the fishermen, I have read both. On the suggestion by the Deputy that the unilateral measures are not being fully implemented, the fact is Mr. Gundelach was dealing with what might happen in the future. We have not made any decision at all in relation to the fishing plans so far submitted to us and to which I have referred, but when they have been fully examined and decisions made on them, we will be in a position to decide whether we will accept them. No decision has been made and none will be made until all examination that can be done has been done. In relation to the implementation of unilateral measures, they are being implemented fully. It is a matter between the Minister for Defence and me. Instructions have been issued to the Naval Service by the Minister for Defence, and to my knowledge we are at the moment searching the seas for anybody who may be transgressing our Irish box. That is the situation and it will be the situation until such time as fishing plans have been either rejected or accepted. Our fishermen and the nation can rest assured that no deviation will be allowed.
Is the Minister aware that the fishermen are so dissatisfied with the action of the Government that they are contemplating hiring a plane to try to see that justice will be done in this matter?
I am not so aware and I do not think such a foolish suggestion would be countenanced by the fishermen whom I regard as being a responsible body of men. I assure the Deputy and the House that a plane has been purchased and that it is being fully utilised, and if further planes are necessary they will be purchased. The Naval Service is about its work and will see to it that Irish fish stocks will be preserved.
In relation to plans submitted by three EEC member states, is the fact that other states have not submitted plans an indication that they are not interested in what the Irish Government have to say about unilateral action?
I would not accept that suggestion. The British are one of the nations who have not submitted plans and they, because of their position right beside us, would naturally be interested. We do not expect plans from Denmark. We will examine all the plans submitted, consult with the fishermen before any decision is made and see to it that every effort is made by the Government and by me to conserve our fish stocks. It was pointed out to me by a fishery expert from the Deputy's constituency, Colonel Morris, "total efficiency is total kill". That is the reason for conserving stocks. The Government will conserve, defend, and consult.
In relation to fishery plans, does it not seem strange that, as the Minister stated, the Government are demanding plans from other EEC states in relation to fishing while they, as the Minister also stated, have no plans? It seems rather high-handed to suggest to the other nations that they should submit plans even though the Government have no other plans for the fishing industry.
The Deputy is incorrect. The Government have plans in relation to the conservation of Irish fish stocks in the Irish box and will carry out those plans. In relation to plans which were invited—they were not demanded—from other member states of the EEC, we are awaiting them. Those plans will be gone through with a fine comb to see to it that no content of those plans will affect Irish fishermen, Irish fishing waters or fish in Irish waters. When that has been completed the Government will consult with the Irish fishermen's organisations and then make their decision.
Will the plans submitted by EEC member states be available to Members of the House?
No. It would not be appropriate to make those plans available to Members of the House at this stage but as soon as the examination of all the plans has been carried out and we have decided one way or the other I will be as helpful to the Deputy, and other Members, as I can be at Question Time or at any other time.
Is the Minister stating unequivocally that there will be no deviating from the unilateral action taken irrespective of the suggestions that may be made by other member states or the joint action of other member states?
There will be no deviation by the Government or the Minister on the question of unilateral action until such time as the fishing plans have been considered, consultation has taken place between myself and the fishermen's organisations and a decision reached.
No deviation until then?
That is correct. At that time we will have to consider our position.
Is the Minister satisfied that we have adequate vessels for fishery protection duties at present?
Naturally, I would be more satisfied if we had more vessels but the matter is being pretty adequately dealt with. If we had not been left in our bare feet by the previous Government it would be dealt with better.
I have allowed a lot of latitude on this and I am calling the next question.
The last reply by the Minister warrants a few supplementaries.
In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's reply, I wish to raise this on the Adjournment.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
