asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if he is aware that the volume of fish imported into Ireland with its resultant effect on Irish fishermen is giving cause for concern and if he will restrict such imports, particularly those of a dumping nature.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fish Imports.
8.
Under the EEC regulations all quantitative restrictions on the import of fish or fishery products have been removed and any move by this country to re-introduce such restrictions would not be permitted. I am not aware that the volume of fish imports into Ireland is having very adverse effects for our fishermen or that fish is being dumped here from abroad.
Is the Minister now saying that he must impose a 10 per cent levy on salmon—is that not the effect of the reply, taken with an earlier reply?
I do not see that my reply has anything to do with salmon.
It refers to imported salmon.
This has nothing at all to do with the imposition of a levy.
Does the Minister accept there is great concern not alone in Ireland but in other EEC countries about the importation of fish from countries like Norway, Sweden, Iceland and North America, mainly Canada, and some South American countries?
There is concern in the EEC about imports from Third Countries. More than half the imports here would be in the form of prepared fish, such as fish fingers, raw materials in times of scarcity being brought in for the processing industry.
I understand that neither at national nor at EEC level are there accurate figures of current fish import levels. Does the Minister accept that it is unsatisfactory?
Figures can be got of imports into Ireland.
Does the Minister accept that some EEC countries are suspected of making private deals with Third Countries for the importion of cheap fish, unknown to the EEC Commission?
I am not so aware.
Has the Minister any confirmation of it?
No.
Is the Minister aware that £6 million worth of processed fish is being imported here and is this not a critical situation—60 per cent of our fish being imported?
Does the Minister accept this?