Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 12 Dec 1990

Vol. 403 No. 9

Written Answers. - Development of Fishing Industry.

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

24 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Marine if he will outline the proposals, if any, he has, to take advantage of the 1976 Hague Resolution which committed the EC to the continual and progressive development of the Irish fishing industry.

Minister for the Marine (Mr. Wilson)

Advantage of the Hague Resolution and related principles in the Common Fisheries Policy is taken by Ireland on an ongoing basis in policy development and the allocation of resources at Community level. For example, during the negotiations on quotas at the Council of Fisheries Ministers in December, 1989, I successfully invoked the Hague Resolution for a number of stocks.

The quotas for 1991 will be set at the December 1990 Council. I will be aiming, in those negotiations, to ensure that the quotas set for Ireland will be at the highest possible sustainable levels, consistent with the scientific evidence available on the state of the stocks. In order to achieve this aim, I will, where appropriate, invoke the Hague Resolution. In the forthcoming review of the Common Fisheries Policy, I will be strongly reminding the Commission and the Council of their obligations in this regard with a view to safeguarding the needs of the Irish fishing industry.