Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 November 2004
291 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will outline the options for a number of fishermen who find their boats unviable; and if he has plans to support and help small family operations in this regard. [31535/04]
View answerThe current EU rules allow for the grant aiding of fishing vessels for works that do not concern capacity in terms of tonnage or power. A grant aid scheme to support the purchase of safety equipment for fishing vessels, including vessels that have been granted a fishing boat license offer under the special scheme for the licensing of small fishing boats, which have a record of active commercial pot fishing, is being administered by Bord Iascaigh Mhara. This grant scheme covers essential equipment including lifesaving, fire fighting, navigation and occupational safety. Details of the grant scheme is available from BIM and can be downloaded together with application forms from the BIM website at www.bim.ie. I have asked BIM to work closely with the vessel owners concerned in order to ensure that they can avail fully of the scheme.
The EU policy, which precludes the payment of grant aid towards fleet renewal and fleet modernisation, where capacity is involved, is regarded as a cornerstone of the reform of the CFP by the Commission and it has not proposed any change in this policy in the proposals for aid for the fisheries sector for the period 2007-2013, which were published in July 2004. At last week's Fisheries Council, I sought changes to allow for such aid for inshore vessels. While I will continue to pursue this objective, there was significant opposition from member states to any change in the current position on grant aid for fleet renewal and modernisation.
