EU fisheries commissioner Joe Borg has indicated preliminary support for a Government plan to give millions of euro to fishermen who are losing their livelihood. The industry has become highly technology-based and is facing rapidly depleting fish stocks.
An Irish fisheries delegation - including two Fianna Fáil MEPs - met the commissioner yesterday to press for the €66 million to be approved by Brussels.
Under EU rules, state aid needs to approved by the commission.
The Government intends to allocate the money in return for the decommissioning of one-third of the white fish fleet - including plaice, cod and sole - a key part of an overall plan to restructure the fisheries sector between now and 2013.
Following the meeting, MEP Seán Ó Neachtain said the commissioner "fully supports the impending application which is being made by the Irish Government to the European Commission for state aid once it is in accordance with EU rules and once it contributes to the reduction in fishing effort in EU waters."
The delegation, also consisting of Seán Ó Donoghue, head of the Killybegs Fishermen's Organisation, Gerard Ó Flynn of the South and West Fishermen's Organisation and Lorcan Ó Cinnéide, president of the Irish Fishing Federation, pressed the commissioner to give a quick answer on whether the Government meets EU requirements.
But a spokeswoman indicated that the EU is unlikely to give a definitive answer until the commission gets its own new rules on state aid for the fisheries industry signed off, which is expected in the coming months.
The official also indicated that during the meeting Mr Borg said the commission would have to see how the Government's plans fit into the country's overall National Strategic Plan, which outlines how the Government intends to spend money from the EU's fishery fund.