asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry whether he is aware of the serious problems facing fishermen at present; if he has any policy to deal with the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fishermen's Problems.
7.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 7 together.
I am aware that fishermen here, as elsewhere, are experiencing difficulties mainly because of restricted fishing for some species of fish and a drop in market prices. These problems must be solved in an EEC context.
Despite unfavourable scientific advice I have pressed at EEC level for limited openings of the Celtic Sea and Donegal herring fisheries on social and economic grounds but so far I have been unable to secure the agreement of the Commission or the other member states to such openings.
In order to counteract the drop in market prices I have also taken up at EEC level the question of reducing the level of third country imports, increasing the rates of import duties and increasing the amount of compensation paid to fishermen for fish withdrawn from market. Following on these representations import duties have been re-imposed on a number of species on which duties had been suspended. Reference prices on imported frozen fish have also been increased. I am glad to say that for some varieties at least there has been a recent improvement in price trends.
At the Fisheries Council on 17 and 18 November the Commission put forward comprehensive proposals for revising the EEC marketing regulations including control of third country imports.
Has the Minister any realisation that our fishermen at present are on the verge of financial shipwreck? Have the Government and the Minister any positive plans in mind to offset this position and put fishermen in a situation where they can earn a living?
I can assure the Deputy that, as I said in the reply the Commission are also aware of this matter which is of general concern throughout the Community. The Commission at a very recent meeting — only this week — of the Fisheries Council put forward comprehensive proposals for revising marketing regulations particularly through the control of third country imports which have tended to depress the market for Community fishermen.
The Minister is aware that, for example, grants such as fuel subsidy——
A question, please.
Does the Minister for Fisheries intend to introduce a fuel subsidy? Does he intend to give anything in the ratio of £3 million in assistance or aid to Irish fishermen? Does he intend to give some sort of transport subsidy? The Minister is aware that it costs a lot of money to transport fish particularly from the west of Ireland to EEC countries.
There was a recent meeting between the Taoiseach and the Minister for Fisheries with fishermen's representatives and it has been decided to set up a working party to review the whole situation that is concerning Deputies here. Consideration is being given to some rebate of the excise duty on diesel oil used in fishing vessels as a result of that meeting. That was one of the points raised by the fishermens' representatives.
The Minister is aware that this was promised in the next budget and that the amount will only be 7p per gallon.
I did not hear the Deputy.
Is it not a fact that the figure mentioned was 7p per gallon on fuel oil and that this is to be introduced in the next budget?
This is being considered.
What is going to happen as regards the £3 million concession that English fishermen benefit from while the Irish fishermen have not benefited even one penny from the Irish Government?
All I can say is that the whole matter is being considered following this meeting of the Taoiseach and the Minister with the fishermen's representatives. There is concern on the part of the Government and the Minister regarding what the Deputies are talking about. The question of excise duty on diesel oil is one that is getting special consideration.
7p per gallon is absolutely useless.
How can the Minister justify the closures referred to in his reply when Dutch fishermen are being allowed to take greater quantities of herring, under the pretext of a by-catch, than the whole Irish fleet?
The closure is entirely based on scientific advice. It is for the rehabilitation of the herring stocks in the Celtic Sea and off the Donegal coast for the benefit of Irish fishermen. This is so fundamental that the people who will be the greatest gainers by reason of the recovery of stocks will be the fishermen in the adjoining ports like Dunmore in Waterford, Kilmore in Wexford and Burtonport and Killybegs in Donegal.
Could the Minister say what system is used by the Department for monitoring the Dutch catch of herring in the Celtic Sea?
There is no question of the Dutch herring-fishing, and any Dutch attempt to herring-fish in the Celtic Sea would be dealt with by the Irish Navy.
They are doing it at present.
The Minister is on Cloud Nine.
Is not the situation——
Ceist a hocht. I have allowed about seven supplementary questions.
This is a double question.
A final supplementary question.
Is it not the situation that no steps are being taken to monitor the catches the Dutch are taking because you are afraid of the financial consequences of a mistake being made? The by-catch of the Dutch is enormous and there is no monitoring of it.
The Deputy can be assured that that is absolute nonsense. There is the fullest control of that situation. I am satisfied that the Irish Navy are acting impartially in regard to all offenders against our fishery laws and regulations, Irish, Dutch or anybody else.
I am only telling the Minister what Irish skippers are telling me and I would advise the Minister to talk to them.
Ceist a hocht.
He is not interested.