Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 November 2004
227 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position in regard to a decommissioning scheme for the Irish fishing fleet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29028/04]
View answerThe biggest challenge facing the fishing industry and its ancillary businesses at the present time is the pressure faced by many of the key whitefish species. The industry accepts that measures must be put in place for the conservation and sustainable exploitation of these stocks. The debate at national level centres around the appropriate mechanisms for achieving this objective.
In this regard, I have received requests from industry representatives for the introduction of a decommissioning scheme to provide for the restructuring of the whitefish fleet and I am currently examining these requests taking account of all relevant issues.
