Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 92: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the economic downturn in Killybegs and south Donegal resulting from the depression in the fishing industry; and his plans to improve the situation. [34472/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I am keenly aware of the industry's views in this area. However, in the context of planning the development of the Killybegs fishing industry, it is important to recognise some key international factors that are impacting on the industry and which are outside domestic influence.

The European fishing industry is experiencing difficulties for a variety of reasons, including scientific concerns about certain key pelagic stocks such as mackerel, on which the Killybegs industry is significantly based. There has clearly been, for example, an adverse effect on raw material supplies into Killybegs as a result of the 27% cut in the 2005 mackerel quota. This effect on Killybegs is not unique. Many other fishing ports throughout Europe have been similarly affected and the situation has been exacerbated by international market changes which have seen Norwegian processors pay record prices for mackerel for most of this year. It is not open to me to obligate vessel owners to land into an Irish port as this would amount to an unjustifiable restraint on trade.

Notwithstanding such impacts, I believe that there are solid grounds for an improving situation. First, as a direct result of €50 million investment, Killybegs Port is now a world class landing location with top class facilities that have the clear capability to attract additional fish landings. In addition, there have been a number of important developments recently concerning the blue whiting and mackerel stocks. On blue whiting, after many years of negotiations, agreement was reached a few weeks ago between the relevant coastal states on the sharing of the blue whiting stock. This agreement has been welcomed by the Irish industry. On mackerel, following recent coastal states negotiations with both Norway and the Faroes Islands, the 2006 mackerel quota is set to increase by 5%.

In addition to these positive developments on fish stocks, I sought and secured the agreement of the Council and the Commission to introduce changes to the pelagic weighing requirements that allows, subject to certain conditions, for weighing to take place in the factories away from the portside. This addresses concerns expressed by industry. I believe that these developments point to an improving situation for Killybegs and the Irish fishing industry generally.