Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 167: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the Government's position, in view of rising fuel prices, on the recent EU proposal at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council for €4 billion to be spent over 2007 to 2013 on the installation of more efficient engines on boats of less than 12 metres in length; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20621/06]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I assume that the Deputy is referring to the €3.849 billion allocation under the proposed European Fisheries Fund (EFF) for the period 2007-2013. This is in fact the total allocation for the EFF, for all measures and for all 25 Member States, for the period in question, and does not relate to any individual proposal under the ambit of the Fund.

The increased cost of fuel to fishing vessels is a matter of serious concern and has been discussed at a number of recent Fisheries Councils. Given the general expectation that fuel prices are unlikely to revert to their previous lower levels, I believe that there is a clear economic imperative, in addition to an environmental dividend, that all fishing vessels irrespective of their size should be installed with the most energy-efficient engines and I supported proposals in this regard during the Fisheries Council discussions on the new European Fisheries Fund. Council did not achieve the necessary support for the new Fisheries Fund Regulation and I understand that it will be back for consideration at Council again in the early Autumn. I will continue to support the grant aiding of such engines in the forthcoming negotiations.

Discussions to date have indicated that considerable research activity is required in this area and I have pressed strongly at Council for this area to be prioritised under the EU's seventh Framework Programme for Research (2007 -2013).