MINISTER OF State for Fisheries Tony Killeen has appealed to fishermen to focus on negotiation rather than demonstration in advance of Irish talks with EU fisheries commissioner Joe Borg.
Mr Killeen was commenting on yesterday's suspension of port protests, pending the outcome of a meeting involving himself and his senior Minister, Brendan Smith, and the Federation of Irish Fishermen in Athlone, Co Westmeath, tomorrow.
Up to 70 vessels involved in a blockade of Cork port agreed to suspend their action early yesterday, and Donegal vessels planning to steam to Dublin port also agreed to defer their protest.
This followed a commitment that both Mr Smith and his junior counterpart would meet the federation, an umbrella organisation representing 90 per cent of the fleet over 12m in length.
Johnny Walsh, the Kinsale-based skipper of the Rachel Jay and spokesman for the group, warned that fishermen would still maintain tie-ups in ports, and could resume further action as "emotions are very high".
They were seeking, among a series of other demands, immediate State aid for a temporary tie-up while fuel prices are so high, as allowed for under EU rules. Other demands sought by the group include introduction of administrative sanctions for minor fishery offences.
The Federation of Irish Fishermen, which did not officially endorse this week's action, also warned that it "could not control" the situation and stressed that many of its members were experiencing serious financial hardship.
Its chairman, Michael Walsh, reiterated his call for a series of measures to be taken by the Government and the EU, including temporary tie-up aid, restrictions on illegal and unregulated fish imports, and extension of the current decommissioning scheme.
The EU commissioner has agreed to a bilateral meeting with Mr Smith and Mr Killeen next Wednesday, in advance of the next EU fisheries council on June 23rd, when the fuel price crisis affecting a number of EU coastal states is expected to be high on the agenda.
Speaking to The Irish Timeslast night, Mr Killeen said he hoped an "agreed approach" could be formulated in discussions with the Federation of Irish Fishermen, which could then be conveyed to the European Commission before the next council.
"We acknowledge that this situation requires fairly radical short-term and serious long-term solutions," Mr Killeen said.
Fine Gael fisheries spokesman Michael Creed welcomed the decision by both Ministers to meet the federation, but said the time had come for "action, not words".
"I have pointed out that EU Council regulations allow for a direct payment to fishermen to stand down their fleet," he said. "This is the option the Minister should be pursuing and, in consultation with EU commissioner Joe Borg, this is what he must deliver," Mr Creed added.
