Vol. 521 No. 2
63 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he has evaluated recent EU proposals for the reduction of the Irish fishing fleet; if he has quantified the potential of the proposed measures in economic terms with particular reference to the food processing industry and employment and investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16726/00]
The EU proposals to which the Deputy refers are views contained within the European Commission mid-term report on the current multi-annual guidance programme, MAGP IV. These views do not as yet have the status of formal proposals and the commission will have to submit a formal proposal for Council decision if it intends to proceed. Any such proposal would fall to be considered during the French presidency, in the second half of the year and a prolonged and difficult debate could be expected.
The Commission's views, if implemented, would imply significant reductions of the order of 10% for the Irish fleet. It is not possible at this early stage to quantify the potential impact of such proposals for the processing sector. Along with other EU ministerial colleagues, I will be taking serious issue with the underlying assumptions and analysis of the Commission's report at the Fisheries Council later this week.
