Vol. 498 No. 1
116 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the extent to which the Irish sea fishing fleet has developed in terms of tonnage, technology and efficiency in the past year; if this is in line with and sufficient to compete with other competitors in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26789/98]
Tonnage objectives are set for the Irish fishing fleet by the EU MGP Decision for Ireland up to 2001. A policy of 100 per cent replacement capacity for the introduction of vessels into the fleet is operated to ensure compliance with these objectives. The total tonnage of the Irish fleet has remained stable over the past year. This would include those vessels operating in the Irish Sea which are primarily in the "polyvalent"— whitefish — segment of the fleet.
The whitefish fleet renewal programme, which supports investment in new boats, modern second hand tonnage, modernisation and safety, will, inter alia, assist that part of the fishing fleet which operates primarily in the Irish Sea to compete effectively in technology and efficiency terms with its UK and EU counterparts.
