asked the Minister for Fisheries if he will give Irish fishermen a guarantee that no further ban will be imposed on their fishing for herring in Irish coastal waters.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Herring Fishing Ban.
18.
The closure of fisheries within the waters of member states of the European Communities is a matter for decision by the Council of Ministers. In discussions on any future proposals for such closures, full regard will be had by me to the needs of the Irish fishing industry as well as to the need for stock conservation.
Would the Minister care to comment on newspaper reports last week which said that there will be a ban on herring fishing off the north-west coast?
These were newspaper reports and do not relate in any way to a decision taken by any body concerned with herring conservation.
So the Minister is prepared to guarantee that there will be no herring ban?
I am not prepared to guarantee anything. As scientific evidence comes before me I shall take the appropriate action to safeguard fishing stocks. That is my responsibility. I cannot give any guarantee regarding that important aspect. I shall take appropriate conservation measures if and when scientific advice comes before me which demands that I should take such action.
Why should the Irish fishermen suffer as a result of overfishing by other countries?
I take it the Minister is well aware that Donegal fishermen in particular are very concerned about these reports and I am very concerned now hearing what the Minister has to say, that he cannot give the House a guarantee that he will not sell out our fishermen for the second time in the last couple of months——
The Deputy is making a speech.
And a very good one.
Can the Minister guarantee the fishermen, particularly in the north-west sector of the country, that there will be no total ban on herring fishing because this would be certain to affect their livelihood and payments on their boats?
Of course there will be no total ban. Nobody ever suggested there would be a total ban on herring fishing.
Is the Minister giving a guarantee now that Irish fishermen will be allowed to fish in the north-west sector for herring?
As far as herring are concerned at present Irish fishermen will continue to fish for herring in that fishery area. What I am saying is that if at any future date—next year, the following year or anytime—irrefutable scientific evidence is laid before me that certain measures have to be taken to conserve fishing stocks in the interests of Irish fishermen, I will take those necessary steps.
Newspaper reports stated that such a ban was imminent.
That is not true.
It was so stated.
The newspapers have stated it but it is not true.
Is the Minister aware that in 1976 in this area the Dutch, who had a quota of 7,000 tons of herring, caught 21,000 tons?
In 1976 there was a different fisheries administration in this country.
What about the 50mile limit?
They abused the quota system.
Yes, because the people in charge of fisheries administration here did not get down to the nitty-gritty of working out the details with our Community partners and instead played politics with the fishing industry.
(Interruptions.)
Order, please.