Possible strings attached to the Agenda 2000 package of EU funds for the fishing industry have been criticised by the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Dr Woods.
A European Commission attempt to introduce conditions on grant-aid for new vessels, which would effectively restrict fleet size again, is to be rejected by the Minister at an EU fisheries council meeting in Brussels today.
The conditions will not affect the current Irish fleet expansion package, which is supported by the EU - and for which contracts worth £30 million were signed in Dublin Castle yesterday.
The European Commission is proposing that a 130 per cent tonnage replacement be agreed as a precondition for grant-aiding both new and second-hand vessels during the period from 2001 to 2006. Currently, owners are required to provide a 100 per cent tonnage replacement for such vessels - that is, exchange old tonnage for new on a one-to-one basis.
These new conditions are much more restrictive than those agreed by the fisheries council in 1997, in one of its early efforts to restrict EU fleet size. The Minister said that he would "not accept the Commission imposing a system on Ireland", and accused it of trying to pre-empt political decisions and negotiations on the next round of the Multi-annual Guidance Programme - the EU's fleet programme framework.
The Commission is also seeking to ban trading of fishing vessels within the Community. "This would mean that Irish fishermen would not be allowed to purchase modern second-hand vessels from any other EU fishermen," the Minister said. A final decision on the proposals will not be taken until June 10th.
In Dublin Castle yesterday, the Minister praised the commitment of fishing skippers who signed contracts for 17 new vessels worth almost £30 million. The contracts are part of the Government's whitefish renewal programme, supported by the EU and the Exchequer and administered by Bord Iascaigh Mhara. Some 26 skippers have now signed contracts since the Minister announced grant-aid to support £50 million worth of investment in 31 new craft.
The 17 new vessels will be built for owners in Cork, Donegal, Galway, Kerry, Louth and Mayo.
