Dukes questions visit to Chile by Minister

Fine Gael's agriculture and marine spokesman, Mr Alan Dukes, is seeking an explanation from the Minister for the Marine, Mr Fahey, over his visit to Chile this week during a trade war.

Mr Dukes has also criticised Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), the State sea fisheries board, for funding the visit, along with a recent trip to Brazil, and for inviting "handpicked representatives" of the marine industry. The Minister travelled with businessmen with fishing interests from his Galway West constituency.

As reported in yesterday's Irish Times, the Minister visited South America on two occasions over the past two months. On the first trip, the only industry representative was Mr Paddy O'Malley, a Galway-based fisherman, and this week's trip involved Mr Johnny O'Carroll, a Connemara fish farmer and director of the Marine Institute. Up to 40 per cent of their costs were paid for by BIM.

Industry organisations were not invited to participate, as is normal on trade delegations.

Ireland and Scotland are pursuing an anti-dumping case against Chile through the European Commission over cheap farmed salmon.

Mr Dukes said he found the visits to be "very odd". Referring to the visit to Brazil in August, he noted that the EU had no agreement with that country.

"It might be of some interest if one could explore bilateral agreements with that country," he said. He said it was "very unwise" of the Minister to have travelled with "handpicked representatives" of the industry.

This week's trip to Chile was far more questionable, Mr Dukes said. "It is not helpful for the Minister to be going there to find out why Chile is undercutting us in farmed salmon at this time."

He said he would be seeking a full explanation from the Minister, while BIM also needed to explain its role.

The Department of the Marine and Natural Resources has said no official advice was given to the Minister against going to Chile.