P. J. Sheehan
Question:4 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for the Marine the plans, if any, he has for the modernisation of the Irish fishing fleet under the National Development Plan, 1994-97.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fishing Fleet Development.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:37 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Marine whether he anticipates sufficient growth in the Irish fishing fleet over the next five years to facilitate ongoing and future demands and responsibilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 and 37 together.
The National Development Plan provides for a comprehensive fisheries development plan designed to maintain and strengthen the fishing industry's contribution to the national economy.
A total investment of £143 million will be made in the fisheries sector over the period of the National Development Plan. This investment will underpin an integrated programme of development in the fisheries sector, which covers the following areas: the fishing fleet, fish processing and marketing, aquaculture, fishery harbours and training. It is expected that the programme will generate an estimated 2,000 additional jobs.
The details of the development programme and, in particular, the allocations of funding between the various areas, the eligibility criteria for the measures and the procedures for applying for grant-aid have not yet been finalised. These details will be part of the detailed operational programme for the fisheries sector, which is currently in preparation.
As regards the fishing fleet in particular, the main aim of the proposed investment is to modernise and restructure the fleet in order to develop it to its maximum potential. The general objective of the fleet development programme is to bring about a sustainable balance between the fleet and available fish resources. Particular aims will be to: improve and modernise the fleet, enhance operational safety, improve the handling and hygiene standards, maximise the quantity, value and quality of landings by increasing take up of currently underutilised quota and non-quota stocks and maintain maximum employment consistent with long term viability.
The implementation of this development programme will be pursued through a wide range of specific measures including grants for modernisation, the introduction of a decommissioning scheme and steps to facilitate the selective entry of new modern vessels in the white fish sector. The details of this programme are at present being negotiated with the European Commission and I would hope to be in a position to publish a comprehensive programme before the summer.
While I thank the Minister for his reply, it is very naïve. It does not stipulate the amount of money which will be designated for the replacement of ships in the fishing fleet. I am sure the Minister is aware that our fishing fleet is 30 years old. How would the Minister like to drive from Castletownbere to Dublin and back, a distance of 500 miles, in a 30 year old Morris Minor, Ford Prefect or Volkswagen Beetle? This is the distance these boats have to travel to get their catches.
Questions, please.
Irish industries would find it very difficult to compete with their EU competitors if their plants were 30 years old. I urge the Minister to make as much finance as possible available for the building of new boats and upgrading the fleet to the proper standard.
I understand that there are clubs which restore cars in excess of 30 years old. I am not being flippant about the Deputy's question.
The owners of such cars pay a reduced rate of car tax.
They become vintage cars at that stage.
Deputy Sheehan is probably talking about a vintage fleet. I agree that some parts of the fishing fleet could, to say the very least of it, benefit from renovation, modernisation and replacement. That is what the new plan is about and hopefully it will bring about a modern fleet. With regard to the funding available to modernise and update fleets, at the December Fisheries Council there was an extension from 25 to 30 years in terms of the ships which can qualify for such funding. It is a sad story to have to tell the world that our fishing fleet has to travel our coastal waters and the high seas in 30 year old vessels. This is not good enough.
The time for dealing with Priority Questions is quite exhausted but I am empowered to call Question No. 5 as an ordinary question, having regard to the revised procedure.