19 December 2005
Speaking from Brussels, DUP MEP Jim Allister demanded to know why Fisheries Minister Lord Rooker is not present to represent the interests of Northern Ireland's fishermen at the crucial negotiations getting underway today on next years quotas. Jim Allister said:-
"The EU Commission once again wants to restrict fishing effort in the Irish Sea, with proposals to further reduce the cod, whiting, plaice and prawn quotas. This is more than the industry can bear and changes must be secured this week in the Council of Ministers negotiations. In particular, we must get an increase in the prawn and plaice quotas and no further reduction in fishing effort.
I am dismayed to discover that our Minister, Lord Rooker, does not intend to be in Brussels either today or tomorrow, though he might turn up on Wednesday, however by then I expect it will be too late. The reality is that only determined political pressure will change the Commission's proposals but, whereas England and Scotland are represented by their Ministers, ours prefers duties in the House of Lords to fighting for our fishermen. Last year, changes were secured by Ian Pearson when he attended and fought vigorously on behalf of our industry. This year, it seems we have a Minister who doesn't care.
Indeed, if my information is correct, though Lord Rooker is in charge of agriculture, fisheries and environment - all areas governed by EU legislation - he has never been to Brussels to engage on any issue on Northern Ireland's behalf. This is quite appalling, Northern Ireland deserves better. If Lord Rooker is too busy in the House of Lords to fight our corner in Brussels, then he is too busy to be our Minister."
Fishing
