ALLISTER SLAMS CAIRNS ON REFUSAL OF FISHING AID
01 February 2007
Statement by Jim Allister MEP
“I am appalled by Minister Cairns churlish refusal of Tie-Up Aid for Northern Ireland’s whitefish fleet. It is sadly clear that the Minister is on the side of those who want to see our whitefish fleet disappear.
Following the December Council of Ministers meeting in Brussels and its further harsh cuts in whitefish quotas, I warned that our whitefish fleet was in danger of collapse, having radically diminished over recent years from 40 boats to less than 10. I called on Government to show support for the industry and demonstrate its belief in its future by, as a minimum, paying out the modest Tie-Up Aid possible under EU Regulations during the Spring Closure in the Irish Sea. The Minister’s refusal to do so, coming on top of Lord Rooker’s vindictive decision last year, signals a desire by DARD to see an end to our whitefish industry. They see this as an easy-fix to the issue of reducing cod stocks. Rather than backing the industry and helping it through tough times they help it go under. “Et Tu Dard”.
As for Minister Cairns saying he listened carefully to representations, that is so much cant and hypocrisy. Yesterday the Assembly was due to debate a motion supporting Tie-Up Aid, but before that debate even started DARD had notified its decision to refuse financial support. So much for being prepared to listen, not least to elected representatives.”
