Written answers

Wednesday, 25 June 2008

Department of Agriculture and Food

Fishing Industry Development

9:00 pm

Photo of Ciarán LynchCiarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 198: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will confirm that Cork, with its extensive shoreline, is to lose its Bord Iascaigh Mhara inshore development officer; the reason for the proposed reduction of this post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24848/08]

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), the Irish Sea Fisheries Board, is the independent, statutory agency with responsibility for developing sustainable Irish Sea Fishing and Aquaculture industries. The deployment of staff within the agency is a matter for BIM exclusively, in which the Minister has no role.

Photo of Jim O'KeeffeJim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 199: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will confirm that Spanish and French fishermen are paying a little more than 50 cent a litre for diesel fuel for their fishing boats while Irish fishermen are paying almost 80 cent a litre; the basis on which this differential arrangement is applicable under the Common Fisheries Policy; and the steps he will take to relieve the difficulties confronting our fishermen. [24860/08]

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The escalation of fuel costs is a result of global economic, market and political conditions. The Common Fishery Policy (CFP) has no remit as regards the pricing of fuel in the market place. It is important to note that the fishing industry in Ireland already receives favourable treatment in the form of a full rebate on excise and VAT on marine fuel, if the enterprise concerned is registered for VAT. Fuel subsidies, in terms of operating aid for fishing vessels, are not permitted under EU State Aid rules and any such measures introduced by EU Member States would be in breach of EU law and subject to Infringement proceedings in the European Court of Justice.

My officials and I are fully committed and will continue to strive, within the confines placed upon us, to bring about a situation whereby our fishing fleet can sustain itself from an economic, social and commercial perspective. Minister Killeen and I yesterday attended the Council of Fisheries Meeting in Luxembourg where we conveyed in the strongest possible terms the depth of feeling of Irish fishermen on this matter and the seriousness of the situation facing them. We outlined a strong case for a package of EU-funded measures to address the current difficulties experienced by fishermen across Europe but, particularly in Ireland. I am particularly pleased with the progress made in a number of areas of concern to Irish Fishermen and I believe the meeting was positive as regards the restructuring of the industry and action to combat illegal fishing.

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