Trawler industry to lobby Brussels

THE new chairman of the Federation of Irish Fishermen is flying to Brussels next week in the hope of persuading the EU Council of Ministers to adopt emergency measures to safeguard the future of Irish trawlers.

Gerard O’Flynn, a former commander in the Irish Navy, from Bandon, Co Cork, has been elected chairman of the federation, which represents about 300 trawler-owners nationwide.

Mr O’Flynn& met with the Taoiseach Brian Cowen midweek to discuss the crisis in the industry.