Michael Creed
Ceist:40 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for the Marine if he will establish a national forum of all the players in the fishing industry to facilitate informed debate and policy formulation.
Written Answers. - National Forum.
I have no proposals at the moment to establish a national forum as suggested by the Deputy. This is not to say that I would not consider setting up ad hoc structures from time to time to focus on our major policy issues. This approach was used to good effect during the review of the Common Fisheries Policy through the group chaired by Dr. Whitaker and later Eamon Doherty.
I am satisfied that existing consultation structures work reasonably well. There is close day to day contact on operational matters between the Department of the Marine and the fishing industry.
At a more formal level, senior officials of the Department and the major representative bodies meet monthly in the Fishing Industry Liaison Group. This provides an opportunity for all important matters affecting the industry to be raised and discussed.
I am concerned, however, at the degree of fragmentation in the fishing industry's representative structures. I am not satisfied that it allows for the most consistent and professional industry input to policy development at national or Community level. While the existing organisations have extremely able and experienced people at the helm, they do not have sufficient back up in terms of analysis and research capabilities, nor is there always sufficient co-ordination or unity of purpose as between the various organisations.
I would view the creation of a strong unified fishing organisation umbrella structure with the ability to influence in a constructive and co-ordinated way the making and implementation of policies at all levels as a healthy and welcome development.
I have indicated in the past that I would support such a development and that my good offices are available to assist in that regard. I would be open to consider suggestions including the possibility of initial tangible support to encourage the creation of new structures.
I know that there have been soundings within the industry on this matter but that there is not at this time a total consensus on the best way forward. While I have no desire whatsoever to get involved in the internal organisational politics of the fishing industry, I propose early in the new year to touch base with the various fishing industry organisations to assess if I could be of assistance in advancing the concept of a unified industry structure.