'Scrappage Scheme' for Trawlers to be Introduced

[krayZpaving]

The Government has announced that a 'scrappage scheme', similar to that introduced on cars in the mid-1990s, will be introduced for trawlers over the next two years.

It is hoped that the scheme will see 75 trawlers removed from the Irish fleet. The scheme will see boat owners compensated for removing boats more than ten years old that have principally been used for white fish trawling from the industry. It is estimated that the cost will run to €21m each year for 2008 and 2009. The intention is to remove at least one third of the fleet.

The Federation of Irish Fishermen has welcomed the plan, saying it is the most crucial ever for the future of the industry.

More:
RTÉ News

[flyer]

Does anyone know what percentage of EU fishing grounds are Irish and what percentage of the fish quota Irish boats have? Soon it will be illegal to fish in Irish waters if you aren't spainish.

[The Lighthouse Keeper]

€42million would be more than enough to scrap the current government!
A country surrounded by rich seas scrapping its fishing fleet
and seceding its fishing quotas to its fellow EU members. What a joke.

Are the people of Donegal so thick to support a minister that mothballs their fishing industry? Haven't enough industries closed down in the county without adding to it?

[Vega1447]

€42million would be more than enough to scrap the current government!
A country surrounded by rich seas scrapping its fishing fleet
and seceding its fishing quotas to its fellow EU members. What a joke.

Are the people of Donegal so thick to support a minister that mothballs their fishing industry? Haven't enough industries closed down in the county without adding to it?

I'm new to P.ie.
So can someone tell me why this topic (with only a couple of posts) stays on top of the list of topics when I log in?

Thanks - this is a genuine question so no flames please.

[the klingon]

€42million would be more than enough to scrap the current government!
A country surrounded by rich seas scrapping its fishing fleet
and seceding its fishing quotas to its fellow EU members. What a joke.

Are the people of Donegal so thick to support a minister that mothballs their fishing industry? Haven't enough industries closed down in the county without adding to it?

Agreed! We seem to be getting taken for a wh0re of a ride here. I am absolutely against this, we should support our local industries, based on the natural resources we have. Other nations have mineral wealth, we have lots of ocean - which we gave away.
And yes the people of Donegal are THAT thick. They asked for it and they got it - I have no sympathy. Seriously, if they were crawling on their hands and knees for potatoes, you can be sure that there would be a few supporters there.

[retep]

When I looked at this first I thought it read "Scrappage Scheme for Travellers" and the though occurred to me, Is there money in it for them to scrap themselves now, boss!

[stanley]

What's the betting the majority of the funds in this scrappage scheme end up with constituents of Frank Fahey