Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 242: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if a hardship fund will be set up in respect of a category of people (details supplied). [3731/09]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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In compliance with European Council Regulation No.1100/2007 establishing measures for the recovery of the stock of European eel, a draft Eel Management Plan was submitted to the Commission for approval. Given the critical status of the eel stock, as demonstrated in the assessment contained in the Eel Management Plan, a number of management measures have been identified as necessary to reach the targets set in the regulation including closure of the commercial and recreational fishery from 2009. Catches have been declining over recent years because of the critical status of stocks.

I have no funds at my disposal for a hardship fund for commercial eel fishermen. The Central Fisheries Board is, however, actively investigating alternative opportunities to assist eel fishermen in diversification.