`Like being married to Elizabeth Taylor seven times!" That's how a battle-scarred fishermen's representative, Mr Joey Murrin, describes yet another round of debate on the EU's controversial Common Fisheries Policy, which is due to take place in Donegal town today.
The meeting, hosted by the European Commission, is the third of over 30 which are to be held across the EU between now and next June in preparation for the review by 2002. Significantly, Ireland was chosen as the first member-state in which to hold face-to-face discussions between the industry and the Commission, as promised two years ago by EU Fisheries Commissioner, Ms Emma Bonino.
Dismissed as a "public relations exercise" during the first hearing in Cork last week, the exchange was both frank and illuminating - with director Mr John Farnell making it quite clear that there could be no "institutional revolution" which would give Ireland more of a say at council level. At the same time, much common ground was explored, and the Irish South and West Fishermen's Organisation's submission paper - outlining proposals for regional management - was given a platform.
"At least they seem to be listening to us," one skipper said after the meeting, acknowledging the gulf that still divides bureaucrats ashore and fishermen at sea. "They have given us more scope for debate - and less misleading information - than our own administration."
Interestingly, the IS&WFO was ahead of the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources in its proposal; Dr Woods announced his strategy review group, to be chaired by former IDA chief Mr Padraig White later that week. Control and surveillance were the dominant themes at Cork - themes which Mr Murrin intends to expand on in Donegal today. "We don't mind controls - we need them ourselves - if they are across the board," Mr Murrin says. The current system of checks is both byzantine and inadequate, in his view. He believes that realistic technical conservation measures and equitable surveillance ashore and at sea would help to save dwindling stocks. "If this review is going to be about politics, though, there will be no future for young fishermen coming up."
Further down the coast, Dr Woods will be announcing a £700,000 marine technical support base in Galway. The base, which will be staffed by Marine Institute personnel, will provide a national service in marine technology, including developing, prototyping and testing of instruments and other technological products. Companies in the marine sector will be able to avail of the services on offer when it is up and running by early next year.
Over the last 20 years, Irish companies have earned some £250 million providing structural, marine, offshore and information technology know-how to international customers in marine-related businesses, the Minister says. He wants Irish companies to continue to benefit from increased opportunities - particularly those which he believes will result from the Marine Institute research and development strategy which was published earlier this month.