EU Fisheries Commissioner Joe Borg is expected to defer any decision on emergency measures for the fishing industry until next month's ministerial council.
Ireland is pressing the case for a pan-European response to alleviate pressure on vessel owners and crew hit by the escalating price of fuel.
Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries Brendan Smith and his junior counterpart Tony Killeen say they intend to lobby for an EU response at tomorrow's agriculture and fisheries council in Luxembourg.
Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries Brendan Smith said he believed that firm action would be taken this week
However, it is understood that an emergency aid "package" announced last week by the European Commission is not backed up by any significant funding to date. Commissioner Borg may seek to buy time until next month's ministerial session on July 15th.
Mr Killeen said he believed that firm action would be taken this week on the issue of illegal, unregulated and unreported fish products which are being imported from non-EU member states. The Federation of Irish Fishermen (FIF) is seeking an immediate ban on such imports, which are, it maintains, depressing the price of fish on the marketplace.
The FIF is sceptical about last week's "announcement" by Brussels of emergency aid, and said that it was essential that any such proposal should be backed up by significant funding.
It says that a series of immediate measures, including tie-up aid to tide vessels during the fuel price crisis, must be agreed this week.
"The Irish government's package, including additional funding - from whatever source - must in turn be announced before the end of this week," the FIF has said. "This was the timetable we were promised and this is the timetable that must be delivered".
"Securing the scientifically supported increases in present-year quota for Celtic Sea cod is another priority that cannot be lost sight of, "it says.
The FIF, which represents over 90 per cent of vessels over 12 metres, is under pressure from members who have suspended a threatened port blockade pending the outcome of the council.
The FIF has not endorsed any such action, but says that the extent of hardship being experienced in the industry should not be underestimated. Fishermen engaged in the protests are due to meet to consider progress next Monday.
The FIF says it is continuing to press for "substantive action" on domestic issues, agreed in discussions with Minister Smith and Minister of State Killeen in Athlone, Co Westmeath, earlier this month. These include action on introducing administrative sanctions for minor fisheries offences.
Mr Killeen has already moved to establish an Irish seafood marketing initiative, chaired by Bord Iascaigh Mhara chief executive Jason Whooley, as one of the commitments given at the Athlone discussions.
