Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 10 Nov 1998

Vol. 496 No. 3

Written Answers. - Fishermen's Compensation.

Austin Deasy

Ceist:

109 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the financial hardship caused to fishermen as a result of severe weather conditions over the past few months; if he will introduce an aid package to compensate them for heavy losses sustained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22530/98]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Dr. Woods)

My Department does not have any request from the fishing organisations for compensation for bad weather in recent months. The evidence available to me in relation to take up of quota and non-quota fishing opportunities in the last few months suggests that fishing activity has generally been at its usual level for the time of year.

As I have indicated in previous replies, while I would be open to considering any substantiated case for assistance made by fishing organisations for losses incurred because of bad weather of exceptional severity and duration, such consideration would be informed by Met Éireann weather data and the parameters of relevant EU legislation.