Vol. 504 No. 7
124 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the proposals, if any, he has to provide an early retirement scheme for fishermen similar to the scheme available to farmers; his views on the desirability of this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12709/99]
Under the current fisheries operational programme, priority in the allocation of funding was given to urgent productive investment measures. Negotiations are currently under way on the allocation of funding under the national plan for the period 2000-2006. When the funding situation is clarified, I will be prepared to review a quantified and fully supported case for an early retirement scheme for fishermen. I would point out that any scheme for early retirement would be governed by EU rules for fisheries funding post 2000 which are currently being negotiated.
