asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry the effects the new marketing arrangements of the common fishery policy will have on producers' organisations; and the aid, if any, that will be available from the EEC for existing producers' organisations in 1983.

: One of the principal objectives of the new marketing regulation is the strengthening of producer organisations by providing for increased levels of compensation for withdrawn fish, by granting a premium for processing and storage of certain categories of fish which are withdrawn from the market, and by allowing a margin of tolerance extending 10 per cent below and 5 per cent above the withdrawal price to take account of seasonal fluctuations in market prices. The regulation does not provide for administrative aid to existing producer organisations.

: Is the Minister happy that this new agreement gives adequate protection to the Irish fisherman?

: The new regulations provide for increased financial compensation to members of producer organisations so it is an improvement on what we had before.

: I appreciate what the Minister said in regard to a sliding scale. If 85 per cent of fish is sold on the market and 5 per cent is dumped, will the fisherman receive 85 per cent of the withdrawal price? If 40 per cent of the withdrawal price goes to fishermen when 20 per cent is dumped, does the Minister feel that that is better protection and that the financial protection available to the fisherman is better than heretofore?

: I think it is better.