Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 15 Mar 1990

Vol. 397 No. 2

Written Answers. - EC Regulation.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

25 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for the Marine if he will outline his views in relation to the Draft EC Council Regulation defining the concept of small scale fisheries; if he has made representations to ensure that the maximum benefits can be derived from this regulation for Irish fishermen; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for the Marine (Mr. Wilson)

I would refer the Deputy to my answer on 13 February last to questions on my programme for the Irish Presidency of the Fisheries Council of Ministers. In that statement I highlighted the importance I attached to the advancement of proposals in relation to small scale fisheries.

In this regard a working document prepared by the Commission has already been examined at expert group level. My Department have already circulated this document to the various fishermen's organisations so as to ensure that we have their full input to the formation of policy in this regard. I expect a formal draft regulation to be circulated by the Commission during April.

The thinking behind these new proposals is to extend the scope of various structural policies and conservation policies to embrace small scale fisheries. This may involve an extension of the various EC grants schemes for construction, modernisation and laying up, to small scale fisheries as well as the introduction of social measures such as retirement schemes.

I wish to assure the Deputy that we will be using our best efforts to ensure that this regulation will evolve in directions which will be to the maximum benefit of Irish fishermen.