andMr. Begley asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries what plans he has for introducing measures to cope with any redundancy that might occur in the fishing industry as a result of the application of the EEC policy for free access to Irish fishing grounds within five years of Irish entry to the EEC.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - EEC Fisheries Policy.
61.
The question of common access to fishery waters has been raised by the Irish delegation in the EEC negotiations and pending the outcome of discussions in Brussels on the problems that such access might present for us it would not be appropriate for me to announce plans on any hypothetical situation of the kind suggested by the Deputies. I would add that the Community's common fisheries policy provides for financial assistance towards ensuring an equitable standard of living for the fishing population.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware—he should be in view of the debate we had on this subject last week—that the fishing policy of the EEC does not make provision for redundancy payments? Could he say whether representations are being made to extend the EEC social fund to this question of redundancy in the fishing industry?
The Deputy will be aware—I think the position was made adequately clear by the Minister for External Affairs in reply to a question earlier today—that negotiations are going on and are being actively pursued. Our own negotiating team are looking after the interests of our fisheries people to the best of their ability. I do not think there is any question at this stage of redundancy arising and if there is a likelihood of redundancy we shall, of course, have a look at it.
No plans.
We do not see any necessity for them.
It is what one would expect.
62.
andMr. Begley asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will give details of any quality standards for fish in the EEC that may be employed for the purposes of calculating the quality co-efficient in the EEC fisheries policy.
At their meeting on 30th November the Council of Ministers of the European Communities adopted a regulation fixing common standards of quality for certain categories of fresh and chilled fish. The text of this regulation was published in the official journal of the Communities on 5th December. As soon as it has been translated by my Department I will arrange to have a copy placed in the Library of the House.
63.
andMr. Begley asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries what provisions are included in the EEC fisheries policy for the transitional financing of fish producers' organisations.
The basic Regulation adopted by the European Communities on 20th October last on the common organisation of the markets for fish provides for the grant by member States of three types of aids to eligible producers' organisations as follows:—
(i) aids to encourage the establishment and to facilitate the functioning of these organisations; the Regulation limits the period during which these aids may be given to three years and also limits the amount of the aid to a sum not exceeding 3 per cent in the first year, 2 per cent in the second year and 1 per cent in the third year of the value of the marketed produce covered by the action of the producers' organisations; also these aids must not exceed 60 per cent, 40 per cent and 20 per cent respectively of the management expenses of the producers' organisations;
(ii) aids in the form of special loans to cover part of the estimated charges arising on market intervention activities of these organisations; and
(iii) financial compensation in respect of the cost of intervention purchases made by these organisations; the Regulation sets upper limits to the amount of this compensation.
The basic Regulation states that the Council of Ministers are to adopt the general conditions and rules governing the application of the first two categories of aids to which I have referred and my information is that this has not yet been done. As regards the third category of aid, i.e., financial compensation in respect of intervention purchases, the methods of application of this are to be adopted by the EEC Management Committee for Fishery Products. I am arranging to have an unofficial translation by my Department of the basic Regulation placed in the Library of the House for the information of Deputies.
Has all this information been communicated to the people engaged in the fishing industry or is this the first time they have heard anything about it?
As these regulations become clear to us we make them known to fishery interests as quickly as possible. There is the feeling that our fishing interests have a great deal to fear about entry into the EEC, but with the present rate of expansion in our fisheries I do not think there is anything whatsoever to fear. I have no reason to believe but that the present rate of expansion will continue provided the confidence of the people engaged in the industry is not undermined in any way. We should all endeavour to create confidence in the future of the industry. I think we can all look forward with confidence to entry into the EEC.