Fishing industry representatives have warned that the new Minister for Communications and Natural Resources, Mr Dermot Ahern, can enjoy no "honeymoon period" as he faces into a crucial EU fisheries council in Luxembourg today.
Proposals due to be discussed at the council of EU fisheries ministers involve setting quotas on deepwater species which have been targeted as a new opportunity by new Irish vessels, and which were worth over €10 million in landings last year.
The three species affected - orange roughy, black scabbard and grenadier - have not been subject to quota before, and France is to be given the major share. Yet Ireland is the only member state to have spent money - over €1 million - on research into the species.
Ireland had proposed that the share-out be decided by effort or "days at sea", but the Commission, influenced by the Spanish EU presidency, is favouring a division based on track record. Ireland has argued that it did not have the fleet capable of setting a track record before the introduction of a new whitefish-fleet rebuilding scheme by the last government.
The deal struck by the Spanish presidency favours France, and is the latest in a series of moves criticised by industry representatives in both Ireland and Britain. Scottish fishermen will also lose out under the arrangement and the proposals are "totally unacceptable and running contrary to scientific advice", according to Mr Seán O'Donoghue, chief executive of the Killybegs Fishermen's Organisation (KFO).
The KFO is calling on the Minister to ensure that the proposals are thrown out or that Ireland is allocated an equitable share. The continuing reform of the Common Fisheries Policy is also on the agenda today, and so far the Commission has ignored most of the Irish recommendations on this relating to conservation.
Mr O'Donoghue said that the importance of the policy review was such that it would mark out the next couple of decades for the fishing industry.
The Taoiseach's decision to incorporate marine and natural resources into a new department, headed by communications, would have a negative effect on Ireland's case at EU level, he has said. The move has also been criticised by the Irish South and West Fishermen's Organisation. The Irish Marine Federation, representing sailing and boating, also added its voice to the criticism.
Last night, the new Minister, Mr Ahern, pledged to fight to protect Ireland's interest in critical deep-sea fish stocks at the Luxembourg council. The proposal to give Ireland only ten to 20 tonnes was "totally unacceptable".
