The architect of the original department of the marine has criticised the Taoiseach's decision to incorporate it in a new portfolio.
Mr Brendan O'Kelly, a former chairman of Bord Iascaigh Mhara, drew up the plan for the first such department when it was initiated by former taoiseach Mr Charles Haughey in 1987.
Yesterday he described its incorporation into the wider brief of Communications and Natural Resources as a retrograde step that would give the "wrong signal" to the European Commission.
The Commission is reviewing the Common Fisheries Policy, amid much criticism from Ireland and several other member states. And a crucial fisheries council on quotas for deepwater species, which could have a serious impact on new Irish vessels, is due to take place in Luxembourg on Tuesday. Angry fishing industry representatives are to seek an urgent meeting with the Taoiseach.
The Taoiseach yesterday rejected criticisms of the decision and said a junior ministry with responsibility for the marine would be created. The title of communications, marine, energy and natural resources would have been too long, and marine was a "very important area", he stressed.
The Taoiseach's reference to a junior ministry has added fuel to the fire, confirming in the minds of industry representatives that the marine brief has been downgraded.
Mr Seán O'Donoghue, chief executive of the Killybegs Fishermen's Organisation, said that as a former department of the marine official he understood well the implications of the development: "This will place Ireland in division three at European level," he said.
Mr Jason Whooley, chief executive of the Irish South and West Fishermen's Organisation, de- scribed it as a "disaster", saying the decision was "mind-boggling" in the context of commitments made to the marine sector in the new Programme for Government. Similar commitments had been given in the Fianna Fáil manifesto, he said. Serious negotiations on the future of the EU's fisheries policy required the input of a strong minister with a clear brief on Ireland's behalf. Mr Whooley said the former department had been "sacrificed" to make way for the new Department of Transport.
• Galway Chamber of Commerce chief executive, Mr Michael Coyle, said former minister of the marine Mr Frank Fahey had done an "excellent job", notably in bringing the Marine Institute to Galway.
Galway will still retain a place at Cabinet, as former junior minister, Mr Eamon Ó Cuív, has been promoted to Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.