Vol. 405 No. 4
12 Mrs. Barnes asked the Minister for the Marine if he has had further discussions with the EC Fisheries Commissioner since the quota negotiations at the beginning of December 1990; if there is any possibility of securing additional tonnage in the traditional species, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The total allowable catches (TACs) and quotas for 1991 were agreed following a series of lengthy and difficult negotiations at the Council of Fisheries Ministers, which was held in Brussels on 19 and 20 December 1990.
At these negotiations, I secured actual increases for 1991 in quotas for a number of traditional species, i.e. mackerel, hake and sole. In many other cases quotas were maintained at 1990 levels. Where, on the basis of the scientific advice available, substantial reductions in TACs proved necessary for other important stocks, I successfully invoked the Hague Compromise which ensured that Ireland received preferential treatment when the reduced TAC was being distributed. When viewed in the context of the large scale reductions in TAC proposed for the various fish stocks in the Community generally, Ireland's achievements at the December Council were commendable.
The TACs and quotas for 1991 have been agreed, and, except where, on the basis of new scientific advice, a revision seems warranted, there is no provision for these to be changed. I will of course, be pursuing with the Commission and the Council any opportunity for increases in such quotas which may arise from any new scientific advice which becomes available. However, in relation to one aspect of the agreed TACs and quotas for 1991, the so-called eight day rule, whereby cod and haddock boats were compelled to tie up for eight consecutive days every month, I am pleased to inform the House that I have secured a derogation from this rule for Irish fishermen.
As regards the future for Irish fishermen, my Department are always working to secure a maximum allocation of resources for the Irish industry. Officials of my Department, along with industry representatives, met with the Fisheries Director-General, Mr. Almeida-Serra, when he visited Ireland recently. Mr. Van de Poele, the Head of the Commission Task Force on the Review of the Common Fisheries Policy is currently in Ireland, for discussions with officials and industry representatives. On both occasions, the opportunity has been taken to make the case for the allocation of additional resources for Ireland.
Is it not urgent and essential that the Minister renew his efforts to increase our quota when considered in the context of fishermen's livelihoods and the difficulties they are experiencing in meeting repayments on their boats? There is a general feeling among those in the fishing industry that Ireland has not got a fair share of the quota considering that the fishing waters of Ireland represent 25 per cent of the European Community waters and we have only 4 per cent quota. What hope can the Minister offer for increased job creation in this area of vast potential if these constraints are allowed to continue not alone without being challenged but being overwhelmed?
I would like to assure the Deputy that the existing system of allocation of quotas derives from the Common Fisheries Policy which was worked out in 1983. There are two words in the regulations which are basic to the whole fisheries policy, they are "relative stability". They are quoted by the Commission at me and everybody else in this context regularly at Council meetings. As I have indicated, if scientific evidence becomes available mid year, it is possible to get an increase in the quota. If such scientific evidence becomes available to me I will be applying for an increase in the quotas in 1991. The scientific evidence is essential and, as I indicated, we succeeded in raising the herring quota in the Celtic Sea by reason of research done by our own scientific fisheries officers. We succeeded in raising the quota available because the scientific evidence we had was somewhat more recent than that which the Commission had.
I can assure the Deputy that if scientific evidence becomes available to me on any of the species whether pelagic or demersal I will be trying for increased quotas.
May I ask the Minister if all efforts are being made to extract that scientific evidence particularly in view of the review of fisheries policy and the further settlements that will be taking place in Europe regarding the future of fisheries? Is it not urgent that the scientific evidence is not only received as quickly as possible but used at European level? Not only do we raise the issue of quotas at the Council of Fisheries Ministers but there is a review of the fishing industry taking place and Ireland has a chance, perhaps the last chance in an integrated European market, to get a fairer share of the allocations?
I am concerned about brevity especially in respect of Priority Questions for the obvious reasons.
I agree with the Deputy that it is very important that we should do so. We belong to the ICES scientific regime and we have available to us not merely the results of the research done by our own scientific staff but also by the international staff. I must say, however, that the big problem is stocks and it is very severe in many areas.
Let us now come to deal with other questions.
