Fishermen seek to have €66m grant fast-tracked

Irish fishermen say they hope the European Commission will quickly approve the Government's plans for reforming the Irish fishing industry.

Lobby groups and Irish MEPs are due to meet Marine Commissioner Joe Borg in Brussels this morning to discuss the plan to decommission one-third of the Irish white-fish fleet.

They want him to fast-track the Irish Government's plan to distribute more than €66m in compensation to the decommissioned vessels under EU rules on state aid.

The lobby groups fear any delay could hold up the entire plan to keep the rest of the whitefish economically viable.