Vol. 514 No. 2
9 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the status of the Government's case in support of the French tuna industry and the French Government which is being taken in the European Court of Justice to ban drift netting for tuna fishing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3562/00]
The French tuna fishermen's organisation registered an application with the European Court of Justice in August, 1998 seeking annulment of Council Regulation 1239/98 which bans drift netting for tuna from 1 January, 2002.
The admissibility of the French case is being considered by the court. The judgment on admissibility is expected within the next two months. The Irish authorities and the Irish Tuna Association, as well as the French authorities, have made oral submissions to the court in sup port of the admissibility of the case. The Council of the European Union, supported by Spain and the Commission, sought that the action should be declared inadmissible.
If the French challenge is judged to be admissible the court will proceed to examine the merits of the case. Ireland has already submitted a comprehensive formal intervention to the court on the merits of the case, which has the full support of the Irish tuna fishing industry. I will monitor developments in the case very closely in consultation with the Attorney General.
The Minister has indicated that he is aware that the French initiated a case which the Irish tuna fishermen then followed up. Is he aware that it was probably the intervention of the Taoiseach at Cabinet level which galvanised our Minister in submitting the Irish case? Is the Minister further aware that drift net fishing is a very lucrative activity for Irish fishermen? When will licences be issued for this year's tuna fishing?
I am not aware of the Cabinet discussions to which the Deputy referred—
My information is from an authoritative marine source.
—but I would not speculate on Cabinet decisions. I am aware that there was an important Irish input. I am also aware that this is a very lucrative business and that there is overfishing. This is something we cannot and will not tolerate and if it continues the individuals involved are on a collision course. I am further aware of the need to issue licences without delay.
Does the Minister agree it is most important that we safeguard the interests of our tuna fishermen? I hope the Government will lend its weight to the case being made by the French who are seeking in the European Court to have the ban on drift netting for tuna fishing in the Atlantic removed. Given that tuna is a non-quota species and the alternative method of fishing for tuna by means of long lines seems to have a more serious effect on reducing tuna stocks, it would be a wise step for the Government to back the French to the hilt.
We have made oral submissions to the court in support of the case being made. We are doing everything possible to be supportive. Clearly this is in our interest.
