Vol. 500 No. 3
8 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources his views on whether the new system of managing the State's mackerel quota is discriminatory and limits the earnings of mackerel fishermen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3818/99]
The current management arrangements for the mackerel fishery were put in place following comprehensive consultation with the industry and take account of the need for conservation of fish stocks and the rational exploitation of fisheries.
Notice has been served for judicial review and injunctive relief has been sought in relation to the licences attaching to the management arrangements. On the advice of the Attorney General's office I am precluded from elaborating any further on these matters which are now sub judice.The court agreed the date of 15 February for the hearing of the injunction case. The full case will be mentioned on that date. I would appreciate if Deputies did not go too far in discussing this matter.
I anticipated the Minister of State's reply because the court case being taken by the mackerel fishermen was publicised. I accept one cannot delve too much into this subject. I hope the Minister of State will furnish me with a copy of his reply. I was contacted as recently as today about this issue. There is a great deal of concern about it, particularly in Killybegs.
The white fish fishing fleet is being expanded which is a positive and necessary step, but that imposes parallel financial pressures on fishermen when purchasing boats and modernising older vessels. Many of them find it difficult to secure the quantities of fish necessary to sustain their investment. I am worried about the long-term implications, but I accept that as the matter is currently sub judice we cannot discuss it further.
The Deputy will have a copy of the answer within half an hour.
I understand the Minister of State's reluctance to say too much about this matter. However, it must be put on record that Killybegs has always been dependent on the pelagic species for employment and economic activity. The situation in the last few years, particularly this year, is becoming critical. In previous years up to 1,600 people were employed in onshore processing, but only a fraction of that number is now thus employed. That has serious implications for the economy of south west Donegal. I hope the Minister and the Department will bear that in mind in any actions they propose to take.
I assure the Deputy that this Government, like previous Governments, believes Killybegs is extremely important to the economy of this country and Donegal. I hope the Deputy will see the evidence of that after this problem, which we hope will be small, is dealt with.
