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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 31 Mar 1998

Vol. 489 No. 3

Written Answers. - Tuna Fishery.

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

22 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the steps, if any, being taken to protect Irish fishermen for the non-quota tuna fishing in international waters, in view of the fact that it is worth £3 million a year to the fishermen involved and the great potential for shore development by way of a cannery which would also be an outlet for herrings. [7915/98]

I have already outlined to the House this afternoon my commitment to ensure that the legitimate interests of Irish fishermen in the Atlantic tuna fishery are protected in the face of the proposed ban on drift-netting for tuna. I have also spelled out my strategic approach to the negotiations on the issue. I fully agree with the Deputy on the importance of the valuable tuna fishery for our south-west ports and the economic benefits for our fishermen. I am not aware of any proposals currently to establish further tuna canning capacity in the south-west region. While I fully agree on the need to maximise the returns onshore of all our fishing activity in terms of value added and jobs in the processing sector, it is the case that tuna commands premium prices, if the quality is right on export markets. Creating the conditions for Irish fishermen to develop a niche in the quality high priced market will be a major consideration for me in securing a framework for our continued participation in the Atlantic tuna fishery. I will be open, however, to consider any other additional proposals which can be demonstrated to deliver significant economic return.

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