The Irish fishing industry is to get €56 million in grants despite plans by the European Commission to cut the European Union's fleet by 8.5 per cent.
The Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Mr Frank Fahey, announced plans for the Government and EU grants this morning.
At the same time, the European Commission unveiled radical fishing control measures involving a comprehensive vessel-scrapping programme.
The Commission plans also include an end to subsidies to increase fishing capacity, much tighter enforcement of fishing limits and closer consultation with industry leaders in future.
A spokesman for the Department of the Marine told ireland.comthe two announcements are not mutually exclusive. "The EC are looking at a policy for the next 10 years," he said, adding that there is a significant amount of European money in today's announcement.
He said Ireland’s fishing fleet is not as modern as others in the EU. "We are trying to establish the Irish fleet on an equal footing with other nations".
Mr Fahey said: "I am today delivering on the Government’s commitment in the National Development Plan to further develop the Whitefish industry. The approval of 38 new vessels is the major element of our €95 million fleet development Measure".
The counties of Donegal, Mayo, Galway, Kerry, Cork, Waterford, Wexford, Dublin and Louth are to benefit from today’s announcement by Mr Fahey.
It is thought likely that this is the last time the EU or individual nations will be allowed to make such an investment into the fishing industry.
