asked the Minister for Fisheries if he will instigate discussions with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries in the Northern Ireland Office on the question of modifying the present bye-law limiting the length of vessel permitted to fish south of a line from Bull Point on Rathlin Island to the Whistling Buoy, Inishowen.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Northern Ireland Fishery Bye-Law.
5.
The regulation in question which has been in operation since July 1972 is a non-discriminatory fishery conservation measure. In the circumstances I do not propose to take action as suggested by the Deputy.
I do not agree that it is a non-discriminatory measure because it discriminates against the Greencastle fleet in a big way. Representatives of that fleet approached me about this matter. I got the impression from officials of the Northern Ireland Office that they are willing to discuss the matter if the Minister here would take the initiative.
I am willing to discuss the matter with my counterparts in the Northern Ireland Office but the fact is that there is no discrimination involved. The same rules and regulations apply to fishermen in the Six-County area as to fishermen in the Greencastle area. However, I appreciate the Deputy's point that very few Northern Ireland fishermen are involved in this fishery.
There are none involved.
To show the non-discriminatory aspect, if one continues down along the Six-County coast to other areas, for instance the area of County Down and the Irish Sea coast of County Antrim, one will find that the strong non-discriminatory measures apply to a substantial number of Six-County fishermen. One cannot have one's cake and eat it. The fact is that around the coast the regulations are non-discriminatory in the Six-County area and they are non-discriminatory around our area also.
Northern Ireland fishermen do not fish in this area.
That is the case in regard to that area but what I said is correct, taking the totality of the area. I will look into the matter and communicate with the Deputy.