Vol. 395 No. 6
64 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for the Marine if he will outline the programme of work he expects to undertake in the context of the Irish Presidency of the European Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
My responsibilities as President of the Council relate both to fisheries and maritime transport. Major programmes of work for both areas have been agreed and I am hopeful of significant progress on a number of fronts.
In the fisheries area my main priorities relate to scientific research, technical conservation measures, Mediterranean policy and small scale fisheries. Other detailed matters, such as marketing standards for tuna, the herring market situation and requirements for submission of data on landings, joint ventures as well as ongoing third country agreement negotiations, will also arise.
As regards the priorities, I am putting particular emphasis on taking a hard look at the community role in scientific research relating to fisheries and especially in the area of the rationalisation and co-ordination of research. My emphasis on this issue arises from a serious concern about the absence of a coherent Community research strategy and about the dearth of scientific advice generally. Such advice is central to the proper management of fisheries.
The proper management of fisheries also requires the adoption and implementation of proper conservation measures. This is of particular concern in the North Sea. I will be pressing for the formulation of concrete proposals and the making of significant progress during the Irish Presidency.
I will also be aiming to have launched a Mediterranean initiative designed to broaden the application of Community conservation and structural policies to the Mediterranean region. This is a difficult dossier but an important one as I believe that the Presidency should place particular emphasis on the concerns of all member states.
Perhaps the biggest priority on the fisheries side is the pushing ahead with new proposals for a structural programme for aid for small scale fisheries. This, of course, could be of particular interest to this country and I have agreed with the commissioner that this will be moved forward as an urgent matter.
