Call for marine interests to have full ministerial post

Fishing groups have lobbied the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to restore marine interests to a full ministerial post.

At present, fisheries come under the brief of Marine, Communications and Natural Resources Minister, Dermot Ahern.

Fishing representative bodies have said that the industry is suffering major threats from various sources and needs hands-on leadership at Cabinet level.

Lorcan Ó Cinnéide of the Irish Fish Producers Organisation today said that the ministry is too diverse, and that marine and fisheries' interests have been marginalised.

He called for a restoration of the position to that of a full minister.