20th September 2005

“Fuel crisis progress with Marine Minister Pat "the Cope" Gallagher in Brussels”

Jason Whooley of the Irish South & West Fishermen’s Organisation and Sean O’Donoghue of the Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation met Minister Pat "the Cope" Gallagher and his officials in Brussels prior to the Council of Fisheries meeting on the 20th September. During the lengthy meeting both Industry representatives highlighted to the Minister the urgent need for a range of short term and long term measures to be put in place to prevent an economic crisis developing in the Fishing Industry.

They emphasised that the dramatic price hike of fuel, over 70% since January 2005, was putting the survival of the Fishing Industry in jeopardy and needed urgent action.

Jason Whooley of the IS&WFO after the meeting said "I am satisfied that the Minister fully understands the imminent crisis facing the Industry and that he is fully committed to putting in place both short term and long term measures to alleviate the situation. He gave a commitment to examining the feasibility of a temporary tie-up scheme and I am confident the study will prove to be positive and that such a scheme can be put in place".

Sean O’Donoghue of the KFO added "while the short term tie up scheme is critical to the survival of the Industry the Minister has fully taken on board our views for a range of long term measures. It is heartening to hear the Minister committing to trying to get the other Member State and the Commission to sign up for a new Marine Research Programme under the 7th Framework with sufficient funding to enable a large multi-state research programme to be put in place to examine more fuel efficient systems and alternative fuels.