DUP leader Dr Ian Paisley has told fellow MEP’s that the case of fishermen across Northern Ireland and the Republic must not go by default.

Speaking in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Dr Paisley said fishermen across the island of Ireland had come together to confront the problems facing their industry.

He said: "The Irish fishermen both from the North and from the South whose home waters are those of the Irish Sea are now staring in dismay at what is happening to their industry. There is no doubt that this matter of the Irish Box is all-important.

"All the sacrifices they made were argued about before, but now all those sacrifices were in vain, because the Commission now takes a different line and says the Box has got to go.

"The time has come when this House must face up to the fact that the fishermen from the Northern Ireland and the South of Ireland, for the first time in history, have come together to face this particular problem. It is a serious problem. It is a problem that is causing people who were pro-European Parliament to turn against this Parliament. This is a serious matter, and I trust that the Commissioner will take this to heart and to his very soul."

Dr Paisley said local fishermen were looking for a fundamental review of the current quota system, as well as a review of the tie-up policies, and a review of the direction of the Common Fisheries Policy.

"These are matters that must be faced, they cannot be swept away. I appeal to the Commissioner to come to Ireland, both Northern Ireland and the South, hear the fisherman at first hand and act for them and the future of this industry," he concluded.

(MB)