Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Question 72: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will report on his progress regarding the proposed rescue package for fisherman; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37544/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland submitted a detailed, costed set of proposals to the EU Commission on 12th September. In keeping with my previous stance on the matter, and supported by the Commission's policy document of 8 July, these proposals sought additional EU funding of €32m to support the restructuring of the fishing fleet in line with the provisions of EU Regulation 744/2008 instituting a temporary specific action aiming to promote the restructuring of the European Community fishing fleets affected by the high fuel prices. We are actively pursuing the case at both Council and Commission level.

The Irish Plan was the subject of a lengthy bilateral meeting at official level with the European Commission in Brussels on the 30th September. At that meeting the current situation of the Irish Fishing industry was outlined to the Commission and it was be made clear that the Plan cannot be implemented unless the Commission secures and allocates the necessary funding to Ireland. Minister Killeen raised the matter at the September Fisheries Council and pressed for Commission proposals to enable the implementation of the plan in Ireland at an early date. We will continue to push Ireland's case over the coming period with a view to the Commission bringing forward proposals without delay.