Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are engaged with the European Commission in terms of getting approval for the scheme. I hope to have approval soon and to have the scheme up and running as quickly as possible. There is a challenging situation at the moment for fuel and the cost is impacting on fishermen. I am meeting all fisheries representative organisations next week to discuss this issue. I have been in close contact with them. The Deputy will be aware that at their request, I have introduced two three-month tie-up schemes, which have been welcomed by them, to provide income support to fisheries at a very difficult time and against the backdrop of the fuel situation. Excise duty does not apply to marine fuel and VAT can be reclaimed by fishermen. It is very much tied specifically to the price of a barrel of oil. It is challenging situation. I will be meeting fisheries representatives next week to discuss it in detail.

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