EU rules on aid to industry should facilitate rather than stifle the continued development of Irish fisheries, the Minister for the Marine told the Dail.

Dr Woods said he had fundamental problems with the European Commission's proposals for grant-aiding the fishery fleet in the next round of structural funds. The German EU Presidency agreed to re-examine the Commission's proposals, but in "light of the Commission's very hard line on this, compromise will be a difficult and tough battle".

The Minister was opening a Dail debate on the BIM document - the BIM Seafood Industry Agenda 2000-2006.

The sector is worth £300 million a year to the economy and seafood exports are at £250 million, he said. Continued strong growth in the fish processing sector was critical.

Fish processing output was growing steadily and amounted to 145,000 tonnes in 1997, valued at £213 million, Dr Woods said.

"We add some 50 per cent of the value of our fish through processing. Other countries achieve up to 200 per cent in added value," Dr Woods said.

£230 million in 1997. aquaculture now represents some 30 per cent of the total value of Irish seafood output. and It "has the potential to bring much needed further employment to our remote coastal areas where economic development opportunities are often very limited," he said.

Mr Dinny McGinley (FG, Donegal South-West) said the BIM plan for the next six years was a "comprehensive and imaginative blueprint".

Mr Michael Bell (Lab, Louth) described BIM's plan as "probably the best document in the history of the Irish fishing industry". He said it was practical, simple and effective.