Ahern to intervene over `unfair' blue whiting quota

The Taoiseach has promised to intervene in the simmering row with the European Commission over proposed blue whiting quotas for Ireland which could affect the north-west supertrawler fleet.

Mr Ahern is to raise the issue at the EU Council summit in Cologne later this week after discussions with the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Dr Woods.

Dr Woods has also written to the German Presidency in advance of the EU fisheries council meeting on June 10th.

The European Commission has been accused already by the Fianna Fail MEP for Connacht-Ulster, Mr Pat the Cope Gallagher, of "highly improper behaviour" over the proposal to give Ireland just 10 per cent of the total European quota for blue whiting.

The acting Commission has proposed that Ireland be given 14,000 tonnes of blue whiting under a new share-out deal for the fishery. Dr Woods has said the proposed figure was "grossly unfair" and has questioned the methodology used to determine the share-out.

The Commission has recommended that the greatest share of the fishery be given to the Netherlands and Britain, out of an overall EU allocation of 133,000 tonnes. Norway has been exploiting the largest share of the fishery, which is proving to be a lucrative alternative for the hard-pressed mackerel fleet.

Mr Joey Murrin, chief executive of the Killybegs Fishermen's Organisation, said late last week the Commission's proposals showed once again that the Irish fishing industry was the "sacrificial lamb at the Brussels negotiation table". Even Spain, which had no historical record in this fishery off Ireland, had been given a higher quota, at 15 per cent of the total, said Mr Murrin, who has written to the Taoiseach seeking a meeting before the Cologne summit.

So attractive is the blue whiting fishery that the Naval Service has already arrested three Norwegian vessels in Irish waters this year for offences while on these grounds. In February, a bail bond of almost £250,000 was fixed by Donegal Circuit Court on foot of the first such detention and the case is due to be heard shortly.