The European Fisheries Commission has been strongly attacked over its attempts to restrict the Irish fishing fleet. In the strongest criticism yet of the Commission, the Minister for the Marine has described its proposals as "absolutely ridiculous".
There is now, clearly, a huge clash between the Irish fishing industry, the Minister for the Marine, and Franz Fischler, the European Fisheries Commissioner.
Minister Frank Fahey arrived back in Dublin last night after day-long talks at the Commission in Brussels, where he said he had made it clear that Ireland faced major socio-economic problems because of the proposed cuts.
These include an attempt to impose a sharp limit on the development of deepwater fisheries in which Irish fishermen have been engaged.
Sean O'Donoghue, Chief Executive of the Killybegs Fishermen's Organisation, bluntly accused the Commission of siding with the French industry in trying to force Ireland out of these crucial fisheries.
He and joined with Minister Fahey in pointing to the Fisheries Commission's decision to ignore scientific evidence, and its targeting of Ireland in particular.
Mr O'Donoghue said the credibility of the Commission had to be questioned. These strong criticisms set the scene for the negotiations on Monday and Tuesday in Brussels.
