Taoiseach must protect fishermen

It is vital that Taoiseach Bertie Ahern strongly pressed the case of the Irish fishing industry at the EU summit in Copenhagen, because decisions crucial to its viability will begin to be considered next Monday.

Yesterday, industry interests and fishing communities around the country protested against the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), which they maintain is inimical to their future existence.

It followed a demonstration three days ago by French and Belgian fishermen in Channel ports, which had the backing of their counterparts from Ireland, Britain, Denmark, Italy and the Netherlands.