Fishing fuel costs and decommissioning
Deputy Collins warned that fishing boats in Cork are tied up because fuel costs make going to sea uneconomic and criticised the impact on the industry. The Minister said he was engaging with the European Commission on the decommissioning scheme, would meet fisheries groups, and had already introduced tie-up supports.
On Monday last, at a meeting of Cork County Council, the order of business was suspended to discuss another Irish fishing industry crisis in the term of this Government. Fishing boats in Castletownbere, Union Hall and other piers in County Cork are staying tied to the pier as fishermen cannot afford to fuel their trawlers and boats. One councillor stated that he was told by a fisherman that to go out for his catch for the week would cost him €42,000 in fuel. It just did not pay. They watch French and Spanish fishermen fish in Irish waters and their governments have subsidised their fuel by 30 cent per litre through this crisis. Many fishermen have accepted that there is no future in the fishing industry. The Government promised a decommissioning fund but it has been kicked down the road continuously. Can the Minister tell me the exact date the decommissioning fund will be available to struggling fishermen?
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I thank Deputy Michael Collins for the question. I am taken by his change of approach to the decommissioning fund. He constantly opposed it in the House previously. I note he is seeking for it to be----
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That is where the Government has led them. It is ruining their future.
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I see the Deputy is supporting the fund now and seeking an early date.
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The Minister might answer the question. I am not supporting it.
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We are engaged with the European Commission in terms of getting approval for the scheme. I hope to have approval soon and to have the scheme up and running as quickly as possible. There is a challenging situation at the moment for fuel and the cost is impacting on fishermen. I am meeting all fisheries representative organisations next week to discuss this issue. I have been in close contact with them. The Deputy will be aware that at their request, I have introduced two three-month tie-up schemes, which have been welcomed by them, to provide income support to fisheries at a very difficult time and against the backdrop of the fuel situation. Excise duty does not apply to marine fuel and VAT can be reclaimed by fishermen. It is very much tied specifically to the price of a barrel of oil. It is a challenging situation. I will be meeting fisheries representatives next week to discuss it in detail.