asked the Minister for the Marine if it is proposed to reduce the total tonnage of registered Irish fishing vessels; if so, the amount of the reduction; and the reason.
Written Answers. - Fish Catching Capacity.
143.
The objective of EC structural policy is to adjust fish catching capacity in the Community to match the available fish resources. Under the Community's Multi Annual Guidance Programme, all member states have been set the objective of reducing capacity by end-1991 by 3 per cent as compared with the end-1984 level. With the significant increase in fleet capacity which has taken place in Ireland since 1984, the scale of the reduction implied in Ireland's case is significantly greater than 3 per cent. The precise amount of tonnage involved, however, has yet to be finally determined and this matter is the subject of ongoing discussions with the Commission.