asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the steps his Department is taking to ensure that the Government will be in a position to negotiate terms which will be favourable to this country's fishermen when the EEC Treaty of Accession comes up for renewal.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fishing Industry Development.
22.
I assume the Deputy has in mind Article 103 of the Treaty of Accession to the EEC which provides for a review before 31st December, 1982, of the derogations granted to Ireland and other member states regarding exclusive fishery limits.
I can assure the Deputy that all necessary steps are being taken by my Department to ensure that the most favourable terms possible can be negotiated for our fishermen when the derogations expire in 1982. These include in particular the provision of adequate finance for the expansion of the fishing fleet and the extension of biological research into fish stocks.
I might add that as part of my policy of consultation with those involved in the fishing industry I have asked the Irish Fishermen's Organisation and the Irish Fish Processors and Exporters Association to submit to me their proposals for the future development of the industry. Any such proposals received will have my full consideration.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary agree that it is necessary to take urgent action to convince other member states as to why it is necessary for us to hold on to the rights we have?
All necessary steps are being taken by the Department to ensure that the most favourable terms possible can be negotiated for our fishermen.
Does this mean that the Parliamentary Secretary or the Minister intend to force the new limits which are proposed for our fishery areas around the coast? Are they negotiating on the basis of not being satisfied with what we have at present? Are they trying to establish new limits?
All relevant matters are being considered.
That is not sufficient. Could we not have a statement to the effect that we are fighting for a 50 mile limit or whatever it is? Can I take it that the Government are pursuing that objective?
That does not arise on this question but I answered the point made by the Deputy in the course of a reply to a supplementary question on a previous occasion. Our attitude in that respect is well known.
Are the Government considering changing the baseline on which the fishery limits are established?
That is a separate matter.
While it is a separate question I should like to state that such matters are being considered at present.