South-west Donegal may have some of the most modern "currachs" in Europe, but some 64 per cent of the national fishing fleet is "seriously deficient". This was the main finding in a comprehensive safety review published 18 months ago, which is now gathering dust, according to industry representatives.
In spite of the previous government's promise, and Fianna Fail election pledges, only three of the review's 63 recommendations have been implemented. The inaction has been roundly condemned by Mr Joey Murrin, chief executive of the Killybegs Fishermen's Organisation (KFO).
"Twenty months after the loss of the Donegal vessel Carrickatine with six crew on board, this excellent report has been virtually ignored," he says. "When I was fishing 20 years ago, conditions were better aboard some vessels than they are now. When you have water running down the side of your bunk, oil from the engine room on the cabin floor, slices of bread in the galley tasting of diesel, you are talking about basic human rights."
Mr Tom Hassett, of the Irish South and West Fishermen's Organisation (IS&WFO), echoes this view. "At an average age of 30 years, our whitefish fleet is clapped out. You can have all the safety equipment in the world, but it won't stop fishermen from drowning if they don't have a sound vessel."
The Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Dr Woods, has promised to introduce financial incentives for fleet renewal early this year. However, a £20 million package prepared for the Budget speech in December was dropped at the last minute. In the meantime, several other EU member-states, including Spain, Holland and Britain, have been busy rebuilding fleets.
Joey Murrin and Tom Hassett wonder how many more lives will be lost. "We can't blame the EU, when it is our own Government policy, steered by the Department of Finance, to run down our fleet," Tom Hassett claims. "By the time we get moving, it may be too late."