A newly formed fishing industry organisation has accused the Minister for Communications, the Marine and Natural Resources, Mr Ahern, of excluding some of his own constituents from national consultations.
The Irish South and East Fishermen's Organisation, which was formed over four months ago, says it has been denied representation on the Government's strategy group on the EU's review of the Common Fisheries Policy.
The organisation says it represents more than 120 boats extending from Clogherhead, Co Louth - in Mr Ahern's constituency - to Helvick, Co Waterford.
Mr Brian McGuinness, the organisation's spokesman, said it had been denied participation in a review of fishing vessel licensing policy which was initiated by the Minister shortly after taking office.
The strategy review group was established in 1998 by the former marine minister, Dr Michael Woods, to develop Ireland's approach to the fish policy review. It is chaired by former IDA chief, Mr Padraic White, and has already held key meetings in Brussels and produced several reports.
Representation on the group includes the Minister's department, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Attorney-General's Office, Bord Iascaigh Mhara, the Marine Institute, IBEC's marine food council, eight industry organisations and three individual fish sales and processing companies.
The group's chairman, Mr White, said the new organisation had been invited to make a submission at its last plenary meeting a week ago. He said its participation in the strategy group meetings was not within his remit, as it was a matter for the Minister.
Mr Jason Whooley of the Irish South and West Fishermen's Organisation said the group represented fishermen and should be allowed to participate.
A spokesman for the Minister said it was felt that the industry was already well represented on the group.
Mr Ahern has held talks with his French counterpart, Mr Herve Gaymard, on the EU fisheries policy review in Dublin. The talks yesterday were described as "wide-ranging".
Afterwards, Mr Ahern said France and Ireland had much common agreement on their approach to fisheries policy within the EU.
Both states were working to ensure that the review guaranteed a sustainable future for fisheries resources and for coastal communities dependent on same, he added.
