Two decades ago, the European Union declared 200-mile limits as part of its emerging common policy on fish. Two decades ago, it was hailed by the then government here as an opportunity for development of the Irish fleet. Two decades later, much of that fleet is now aged, yet still working - in far from seaworthy condition. The facts on this issue are contained in a report on fishing vessel safety, published by the Minister for the Marine, Mr Barrett, six months ago, after a record 18 deaths at sea in 1995.
Chaired by Mr Donal O'Mahony, former secretary of the Department of Tourism, Transport and Communications, the safety review found that 64 perk cent of vessels inspected during two months of this ear had "serious deficiencies", particularly those of to 24 metres length, and some 60 per cent of the fleet was over 20 years of age. It stressed the "urgent need" for a substantial improvement in safety awareness among Irish fishermen.
The O'Mahony committee, comprising representatives from Bord Iascaigh Mhara, the Department of the Marine, the Naval Service, fisheries organisations, the Commissioners of Irish Lights and the Department of Finance, drew up a comprehensive set of recommendations. It suggested that some of the measures could be financed with EU structural funds. The chairman warned that if the necessary action was not taken, it would be "impossible to avoid the conclusion" that the present high rate of fishing vessel: casualties might continue in future years.
As part of his response, the Minister has brokered a new EU directive, which was agreed last Friday in Brussels. It decrees that vessels over 24 metres in length have two years to comply with a series of measures, including new stability standards, and the provision of safety and relevant radio and navigational equipment. Mr Joey Murrin, chief executive of the Killybegs Fishermen's Organisation, has said that it is not enough. He has called once again for full implementation of the Government's own safety review.
Mr Murrin has said more. Fishermen are tired of report after report" without action, he has said. The marine sector is now "consultant-dominated", he believes. In his own inimitable style, Mr Murrin has summed up the current situation as "the people who know nothing coming to the people who know everything, picking their brains, charging a lot of money, writing a report, presenting it to the people who know everything and charging them again".
The Minister can hardly be surprised at this level of frustration. He has inherited a problem which has been fudged by successive governments, and which requires a level of political support at Cabinet table. Even if safety measures are introduced, there is still the wider issue of rebuilding the decrepit Irish fleet within the confines of the EU.
Should the O'Mahony report be implemented, it can only have long-term positive effects. What's more with a new building programme of ships of at least 120 feet, the Irish fleet could take advantage of some unused quotas further out to sea. Consultants may be impartial, but as with other current reviews - such as that being conducted on the Naval Service and Air Corps which patrol the 200-mile limit - the commissioned study must lead to, and not be a substitute for, decisive political action.