Vol. 422 No. 1
29 Mr. Moynihan asked the Minister for the Marine if he has any plans to encourage the enlargement of the Irish fishing fleet; and if he will make any representation to the EC to have Ireland excluded from conditions whereby Irish tonnage has to be cut before new boats are allowed to fish.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 and 29 together.
The total size of the Irish fleet at the beginning of this year was of the order of 53,000 tonnes. Negotiations are continuing with the European Commission on a multi-annual guidance programme for fleet development for the period to end-1996. In that context, we have proposed that in order to take up unexploited quotas, especially of white fish, the fleet should be allowed increase by about 5,000 tonnes.
I should mention in this context that the former Minister, the Tánaiste, introduced a special scheme last year designed to bring in an extra 20 vessels aimed at unexploited white fish quotas to the west of Ireland. Some eight boats have already been introduced and three further boats will enter the fleet shortly. This scheme included special arrangements for the phasing of the withdrawal of tonnage.
I must stress, however, that there would be no basis at this stage for any general relaxation on the present requirement whereby a person proposing to introduce a new boat must first withdraw equivalent capacity. If existing capacity is adequate, as it is in many segments of the Irish fleet, adding to capacity would simply undermine the viability of existing boats.
Turning to the question of modernising and renewing the fleet, the financing of such programmes is largely determined by EC rules and conditions. In this context, we have put a comprehensive development programme to the European Commission and negotiations on that programme are in train. Already this year, I am glad to say that the Commission has approved grants for the modernisation of some 32 vessels involving a total EC investment of £1.13 million. I will be pressing for a continuation and improvement of this support in the fleet development guidelines to be adopted for Ireland by the Commission for the period to 1996.
Would the Minister agree that we should make a strong case to the Commission that in areas where there is no problem with quotas exploratory fishing for new species could be increased tremendously by the Irish fishing fleet? A recent BIM exercise identified that an extra £500,000 could produce another 70 jobs — jobs in fishing cost about £8,000 per job whereas in industry they cost more than £20,000 per job. Therefore every effort must be made to provide money in this area. In coastal areas where jobs are most needed there is every argument, financial and environmental, for increasing the fishing fleet, thereby resulting in a return at every level, which would not be the case in most other jobs?
I cannot disagree with the Deputy. A question has been put down about fish species on which I will give more precise details later, but the point about exploratory fishing for non-quota species is a valid one. In some cases, for example, with horse mackerel, there is a total allowable catch but I agree that there are non-quota species which must be explored such as blue whiting, argentines, and red fish. Hopefully a plan will come on stream in this regard very soon. It is important that fishing operations carried out by producers and processors take place in areas where there are no other natural assets. In making our case we are concentrating on the under-utilised species, the underdeveloped nature of the fleet and the importance of fishing to the social and economic survival of coastal regions. I take the point that with an additional 5,000 tonnes many more jobs could be provided.
With the agreement of the House could this last question be taken?
No, our procedures at this time are laid down in Standing Orders.
Can I withdraw this question because I will not be able to resubmit it until the new year.
I shall consider that aspect of the matter.
