The EU Fisheries Council is to meet later today to discuss the Commission's proposals to cut the Union's fishing fleet in an effort to prevent the collapse of fish stocks.
The new Minister for Communications and Natural Resources, Mr Dermot Ahern, who will represent Ireland on the Council, is expected to resist the implementation of existing plans which will have a serious impact on the Irish fleet.
The Commission is reviewing the Common Fisheries Policy, amid much criticism from Ireland and several other memberstates.
Proposals due to be discussed at the Council involve setting quotas on deepwater species which have been targeted as a new opportunity by new Irish vessels, and which were worth over €10 million in landings last year.
The three species affected - orange roughy, black scabbard and grenadier - have not been subject to quota before, and France is to be given the major share. Yet Ireland is the only memberstate to have spent money - over €1 million - on research into the species.
Ireland had proposed that the share-out be decided by effort or "days at sea", but the Commission, influenced by the Spanish EU presidency, is favouring a division based on track record.
Yesterday, EU Fisheries Commissioner Mr Franz Fischler said the quotas were necessary to save jobs and protect fish stocks.
"I am convinced that it is more socially responsible to do everything that can be done to reduce fishing effort on stocks that are under threat, even if this inevitably means a smaller fleet, than doing nothing but just watch fishermen lose their jobs for lack of fish to catch," Mr Fischler said.
However, Irish fishermen have said the proposals, drawn up by the Spanish presidency of the EU, favours France, and is only the latest in a series of moves criticised by industry representatives in both Ireland and Britain.
Scottish fishermen will also lose out under the arrangement and the proposals are "totally unacceptable and running contrary to scientific advice", according to Mr Seán O'Donoghue, chief executive of the Killybegs Fishermen's Organisation (KFO).
The KFO is calling on Mr Ahern to ensure that the proposals are thrown out or that Ireland is allocated an equitable share.