The Federation of Irish Fishermen tonight said that caution was needed about the emergency aid package announced last night by the EU.
In a statement it said the move was only in the form of a proposal, for which no new or additional funding had been provided.
The FIF said such money was essential to implement a package of emergency aid. It welcomed the recognition of the industry's problems by the EU, but said that funding for any aid package was urgently needed.
Earlier, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food said EU Fisheries Commissioner Joe Borg has been told of the depth of feeling of Irish fishermen.
Mr Smith and Minister for State Tony Killeen issued a statement after their meeting with Mr Borg in Strasbourg today.
They told Mr Borg that there was an urgent need to being forward an EU-funded package of measures to help the sector, the ministers said.
The funding of this package is seen as crucial because fishermen were told by the ministers at last weekend's meetings that the Government would not have the resources to finance it.
Yesterday, the EC announced emergency measures to help the fishing industry through the fuel crisis. They include emergency aid for trawlermen volunteering to halt fishing temporarily, and EU market support to boost fish prices.
While welcoming the proposals, Mr Smith and Mr Killeen said there was an absence of any provision for additional EU funding to finance them. They said that the commissioner indicated today that he was still exploring funding for the package.
