Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 584: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will respond to correspondence from a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29104/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I have read with interest the correspondence from the person referred to (details supplied). Fundamentally it is a personal assessment of how he sees some of the difficulties which have impacted on the fishing sector over time culminating with the present situation which has been triggered by the global rise in fuel prices.

I have been fully advised by the Federation of Irish Fishermen of the issues facing fishermen and their implications, furthermore I am sympathetic to the plight of our fishermen and I am committed to working with the FIF to address these issues.

Notwithstanding the current weaknesses that exist in the fishing industry, I am satisfied that a road map to restructure and develop the sector on a sustainable and profitable basis is set down in the Cawley Strategy — Steering A New Course which was launched in January 2007. At a time when the Industry is experiencing extreme difficulties we already have an excellent blueprint available to us to transform the industry and ensure a sustainable, profitable and self reliant industry for all its participants into the future.

I firmly believe that delivery on the recommendations in that strategy, now being overseen and driven by an implementation group under the chairmanship of Dr. Noel Cawley himself, is the way to ensure a profitable, viable and sustainable fishing sector into the future.

In relation to short term measures to address the immediate impact of the current crisis. I welcome the statement issued by Commissioner Borg on Tuesday and the adoption by the Commission of a proposal for the urgent restructuring measures to tackle the fuel crisis. I acknowledge the Commissioner's pledge for up to another €600 million to fund these measures and that in his statement he acknowledges the particular justification for additional funding for countries such as Ireland who have large fleets but small EFF funding allocations and the unprecedented scale of the restructuring effort required by the current crises.

I can assure the House that I will be seeking a fair share of these additional funds for Irish fishermen to allow us to implement the urgently needed measures set out in the Commission's proposals. At the Council meeting on Tuesday we will be seeking agreement on the package of measures proposed and also a solid commitment from the Commissioner that a fair share of the additional €600 million is allocated without delay to Ireland.