The Fisheries Council last October agreed a financial package of some £168 million to aid further investment by member states in fisheries surveillance over the next five years. The EU package will support national investment by member states at varying rates of aid depending on the nature of the projects.
In Ireland's case, Council agreed to ring fence a unique budget line within the overall envelope of some £12 million towards the operating costs of Irish surveillance over the five years. Varying rates will apply here also but could for some projects be up to 100 per cent.
Under the overall capital budget of £156 million Ireland will also benefit from a higher rate of aid than the 35 per cent — 50 per cent range available to other member states.
An indicative programme of expenditure proposals for 1996 and future years has been forwarded to the Commission. I will be putting specific proposals to Government very shortly with a view to getting approval to begin substantive negotiations with the Commission on the programme details. My objective is to secure the maximum EU rates of aid for the capital and operating resources identified as necessary to further enhance our fisheries surveillance programmes.
