Vol. 250 No. 8
andMr. Begley asked the Minister for External Affairs how extensive the exclusive fishery waters of the maritime members of the EEC are; and whether the resolution of the EEC Council of Ministers of 30th June makes provision for fishery grounds within the exclusive fishery waters of member or applicant states but outside a three-mile limit.
23.
andMr. Begley asked the Minister for External Affairs if he will give the terms of and comment upon the declaration of the Council of Ministers of the EEC of 30th June last with respect to Article 2 of the European Commission's proposal for a European fisheries policy; and if he will explain the reference in this declaration to reserved fishery grounds.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 23 together.
The exclusive fishery waters of Belgium, Federal Republic of Germany and the Netherlands extend to three miles from the baseline. Those of France and Italy extend to 12 miles from the baseline, with provision for the exercise of traditional fishing rights in the six to 12 mile zone.
The resolution of the Council of Ministers on 30th June, 1970, defined the broad principles of a common fisheries policy for the Community. In the resolution, the Council adopted the principles of article 2 of the Commission's proposal for a European fisheries policy, which provided that the member states shall have equal conditions of access to fishery waters situated in maritime waters under their jurisdiction. A regulation adopted by the Council of Ministers on 20th October established a common policy for the structural aspects of fisheries. This regulation gives effect to the proposals referred to in regard to equal conditions of access. Under the regulation common access to fishery water within a three-mile zone seaward of baselines may be restricted in exceptional circumstances and in respect of certain types of fish to the local coastal population only. This restriction would apply where the local coastal population is essentially dependent on coastal fishing and during a five year period from the coming into operation of the Community regulation.
Am I clear, then, that this special five year provision for temporary protection for inshore fishermen only extends out to three miles even for countries whose limits are greater than three miles?
In certain exceptions.
Certain exceptions?
The regulations which exist at the moment apply to the Community as it is formed at present. As the Deputy will be aware, at every meeting since this regulation came into force, even though we had no right of consultation because we are not yet a member. I brought forward the problem created for Ireland by this regulation. The Community have responded not only to us but to the other applicants by making arrangements for an examination of the regulations at expert level and by arranging for discussions when we are clearer on how the implementation of such policy would affect our countries in discussions with the Community. We will then be in a negotiating position, negotiating into the European Community in the knowledge of this policy and trying to make arrangements to meet the really difficult situation created by this regulation for our fishermen.
I think the Minister is not quite getting my point. My point is, if a country has—as, indeed, one or more countries have—a limit extending beyond three miles, does this inshore fishermen's protection extend only to the three mile limit or to the full fishery limit?
In certain exceptional cases and in reward to certain types of fish, and for a certain period it will relate to the three mile limit.
Could the Minister make that information available in the Library of the House?
I will.
