Vol. 521 No. 2
57 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he will make a statement on the outcome of the meeting between the Common Fisheries Policy strategy review group and the EU Commission in Dublin in May 2000. [16680/00]
Last month's meeting between the director general of fisheries and the national CFP strategy review group was arranged to brief him on the ongoing work of the group on all aspects of the common fisheries policy in the lead up to the review of the CFP in 2002. The group also highlighted the case for action in advance of the review, notably in relation to conservation and control. I also met the director general and underlined to him that radical overhaul was needed.
A detailed presentation of the group's work to date was made to Director General Smidt and there was a useful exchange of views on the key issues including conservation, control and regional factors. The Director General confirmed that the Commission itself was undertaking intensive internal review of the scope for change in the CFP review. He was impressed by the degree of planning and analysis under way in Ireland on the key issues and expressed considerable interest in being kept apprised of progress.
