FISHERMEN:The Federation of Irish Fishermen (FIF) is seeking further clarification on the €21 million promised in the Budget to decommission part of the whitefish fleet.
FIF chairman Sean O'Donoghue said the allocation fell short of the full figure of €66 million for a scheme which aims to cut the fleet size by 35 per cent. The fleet "restructuring" is central to the Government's €600 million Cawley seafood strategy, published last January.
However, the FIF welcomed the Minister's acknowledgement that the tax code would be amended to take allowance of the payments.
Irish South and West Fishermen's Organisation chief executive Gerry O'Flynn also welcomed the Minister's reference to the challenges facing the fishing industry and his commitment to the Cawley plan.
A sum of more than €14 million has been allocated to the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, which is implementing controversial new legislation on monitoring and control.
Over €49 million has been allocated to Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), mainly for marketing, and €32 million to the Marine Institute for research.
Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea has reiterated the commitment to buy three replacement ships for the Naval Service at a total provisional estimate of €180 million. He says he secured an additional €1 million to "facilitate a down payment" on the first of the three.
Following detailed tender evaluation next year, it is "intended to award a contract in late 2008/ early 2009", Mr O'Dea said last night.