EU fisheries ministers resume efforts in Luxembourg this morning to reach agreement on the size of the Community's fishing fleet, following a break last night for bilateral talks.
In optimistic mood, the Minister for the Marine, Mr Barrett, said yesterday he was hopeful of an outcome largely based on Ireland's compromise formula.
It was during the Irish EU Presidency that the compromise - a combination of fleet cuts and reduced catching effort of stocks under pressure - was drawn up, in an attempt to break the impasse caused by the stark demands made by the EU Fisheries Commissioner, Ms Emma Bonino.
The Commissioner had been seeking a 40 per cent reduction in the size of the Community's fleet over a six year period, to conserve stocks. She was also seeking widespread cuts in catches - a move opposed by most member states. She has also planned a £1.3 million European wide bus tour to persuade consumers to eat more seafood.
No significant breakthrough was reported by Irish negotiators last night on what is known as the Multi Annual Guidance Programme (MAGP) for fleet size.
However, Britain took a firm political stance yesterday, when both Conservatives and Labour pledged to block any agreement until the controversial issue of "flagships" was resolved.
Some 160 flagships, mainly Spanish, have registered in Britain and Ireland to avail of these member states' quotas. The loophole, which was unsuccessfully challenged by Britain, is believed to be one of the main causes of stock depletion in these waters.
Mindful of its £38 million fish export market in Spain, Ireland has stopped short of supporting Britain on the flagship issue although most infringements in Irish waters are by flagships Last month, the European Commission acknowledged that it was aware of reports that some of these vessels were under reporting catches by a factor of up to 1,000 per cent, but said it was a "national issue" for Ireland to deal with.
The Irish South and West Fishermen's Organisation (IS&WFO) has criticised Mr Barrett's approach. Spain, meanwhile accused Britain yesterday of "protectionism". It has also lodged complaints with Ireland over new Naval Service "pounce" tactics which have resulted in 20 fishery detentions this year.
However, the Department of Foreign Affairs promised last week that there would be no easing up on protection within these waters under the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), in spite of any diplomatic pressure from other EU partners.
The EU "cannot escape from" the need to reduce its fishing fleet, the Green MEP for Dublin, Ms Patricia McKenna, said yesterday. Proposals tabled by the Dutch EU Presidency to reduce quotas on certain stocks by between 20 and 30 per cent were "considerably weaker" than the European Commission's strategy published last year, she said.
The purpose of fleet reduction was not to close fisheries, but to restructure the industry so that it became sustainable, Ms McKenna said in a statement. "Small vessels operating in coastal communities should be exempt, as their contribution to stock depletion has been minimal."
At home, there was continued fall out yesterday over the Minister for the Marine's report on the Irish whitefish fleet which proposes a pilot grant aid scheme for up to four new vessels. The report was "a stalling exercise", Mr Tom Hassett, of the IS&WFO said.
Yesterday's sinking of the 36 year old Laochra Beam illustrated the alarming age profile of the Irish fleet, with 63 per cent of boats in a decrepit state, Mr Hassett said.
