asked the Minister for the Marine the reason his Department agreed to imports of fish to the EC from countries outside the EC; and the reason he had no consultation with Irish fishery interests regarding such a development.
Written Answers. - Fish Imports to EC.
109.
The EC's international commitments in the context of the GATT preclude the Community from imposing prohibitions on imports of Third Country fish. However, the Community can exercise its right to reduce tariffs on specific quantities of imported fish when such reductions are considered appropriate.
At the Council of Fisheries Ministers in Brussels on 29 February 1988 a proposal on the opening of autonomous tariff quotas for certain fish species to aid the Community's processing industry was considered at length. After some amendment the proposal was adopted by a qualified majority with Ireland being the only member state opposing.
In voting against the proposal I was concerned about (I) the possible adverse affects of the quotas envisaged on Irish whitefish fishermen, (II) the apparent divergence from the principle of granting additional Third Country access to EC markets only in exchange for reciprocal benefits and (III) the lack of action to date by the Commission in dealing with the problems being experienced by Irish fishermen on the herring market.
In the light of the information which I have outlined, it is abundantly clear that any suggestions of a u-turn on my part are not sustainable. I would add that the Irish industry was consulted in this instance as is the normal practice in advance of councils.