HC Deb 20 January 1995 vol 252 cc740-1W
Sir Teddy Taylor

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what financial aid has been offered to the Government of the Republic of Ireland in connection with the revised access arrangements for the Irish box; and for what purpose it is designed.

Mr. Jack

The agreement reached at the December Fisheries Council provides for additional financial aid to be provided for Ireland in order to improve controls, including operating expenditure, allowable under Community practice and within the framework of the financial guidelines.

Sir Teddy Taylor

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the adequacy of resources for the management supervision of fishing in the Irish box; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Jack

Detailed plans for the implementation of the control measures for the Irish box from 1 January 1996 have still to be developed. In developing such measures, we shall be making a very careful assessment of the resources necessary to ensure effective enforcement of the new rules.

Sir Teddy Taylor

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the United Kingdom will retain responsibility for the management of fishing in the Irish box; when the details for the management plans will be considered by the Council of Ministers; and what application has been made to the EC for the costs involved.

Mr. Jack

There is no change in the areas for which coastal member states have responsibility. The United Kingdom retains responsibility for enforcement of the common fisheries policy in those parts of the Irish box which fall within UK fishery limits. The rest of the Irish box remains, as now, the responsibility of the Irish Republic's enforcement authorities. The United Kingdom will be co-operating with the Republic of Ireland to ensure the effective operation of those provisions in the agreement which are relevant to the Irish box. The necessary measures will be put in hand in the forthcoming months. No application has been made to the EC for the costs involved, but some enforcement expenditure in the UK may be eligible for aid.