Vol. 478 No. 4
24 Mr. Browne (Wexford) asked the Minister for the Marine whether the new EU fisheries deal will allow the Netherlands and the United Kingdom to renege on the fleet reduction as agreed under MAGP 3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11247/97]
The recent Council Agreement on the EU fleet plan 1997-2001, MAGP 4, provides that the starting point for member states fleet objectives under the new programme will be the national fleet targets to be met by end 1996 under the previous programme.The definitive outcome for each member state's fleet under MAGP 3, currently being finalised by the Commission, will, therefore, critically dictate the objectives to be set under MAGP IV. The Commission has also made it very clear that it reserves the right to initiate the appropriate procedures in the case of any member state which fails to meet its objectives under MAGP III.
