asked the Minister for the Marine if he will give a report on the progress of the proceedings of his meeting with the other Fishery Ministers in Brussels on the weekend of 26 February 1988.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers - EC Fishery Ministers' Meeting.
30.
At the Council of Fisheries Ministers on 29 February 1988, which I attended, agreement was reached on a fisheries agreement between the European Community and Morocco and on the opening of autonomous tariff quotas for certain species of fish, mainly whitefish species. The latter measure was adopted on a qualified majority basis with Ireland being the only member state to oppose the proposal.
The proposed revision of the Community's common market organisation was discussed and referred back to official level for further consideration. The European Commission also reported on relations with certain Third Countries.
I should like to ask the Minister if there was any discussion on the whole area of gross registered tonnage which is causing such problems here, if there was any discussion on the existing quotas, such as the mackerel quotas, on which we have demanded an increase and if there was any discussion, or is likely to be in the future, on the high percentage of temporary tax here? I take if from what the Minister said in reply to my last question that the implications of the structures policy were discussed.
That matter was not specifically on the agenda but the Minister and I avail of every opportunity to raise the questions of structures and grant aid for aquaculture or any other aspect of the industry. There was no discussion on gross registered tonnage. However, bilateral discussions are taking place with the Commission. Mistakes were made a few years ago and we have responsibility now to do our utmost to ensure that we get the maximum gross registered tonnage. I appreciate that any limitations could hinder the development of the fishing industry. There was no specific item on the agenda in relation to mackerel. However, the scientific advice which we have provided is now available to ICES and I expect that by the end of May we will be in a position to discuss the proposed increase in mackerel quotas. I should like to take the opportunity to advise the House that mackerel fishing is continuing. We will be having a meeting with representatives of the industry today and we will be listening to the views of those involved. I am proud to be able to say that mackerel fishing continues particularly in view of the fact that this time last year the fishing had closed three or four weeks previously.
What are the implications for the white fish industry of the decision taken at the last meeting of the Council of Fisheries Ministers?
This is nothing new. It happened last year and as a result our proposals for imports of white fish species into the Community are being put into effect on a planned basis this year. The decision can be made only when we are aware of the tax and quotas for the other countries. It strikes a balance between the needs of the processing industry and the need to protect the livelihoods of Community fishermen. I am always fearful of any imports of white fish because they may affect white fish prices here. We continue to oppose such imports and, in fact, we are the only member state to do so. What is coming into the Community is sufficient to take up the slack between the capacity of the processing factories in the Community and the tax. However, I hope that our industry will avail of the opportunities that exist to import white fish and process it to a finished product.