The quota of Irish fishermen¿s allowable Herring catch has been increased after a meeting of EU fisheries ministers in Brussels today.
The Fisheries Council increased the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) of herring from the Celtic Sea for Irish vessels from 6,900 tonnes to 11,200 tonnes.
The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Mr Ahern, said after the meeting: "It was absolutely vital that Ireland's case for an increase in this TAC was accepted."
He said his Department was concerned that existing Commission proposals to cut quotas were fundamentally flawed and that today's talks were constructive. He also said Ireland's point of view was gaining ground.
"A technocratic approach to fisheries management was being offered with little or no prospect that it would lead to future sustainability of fish stocks, which is our primary aim.
"I made the point forcibly that Ireland could not and would not support the existence of measures which would force many family fishing enterprises in peripheral areas out of business," he said.
Mr Ahern said a "systematic review of existing allocations to Ireland of fish stocks" was required.