Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 5 Jul 2001

Vol. 540 No. 3

Written Answers. - Common Fisheries Policy.

Austin Deasy

Question:

63 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he has made a formal request to the European Commission and the European Council for the renegotiation of the Common Fisheries Policy; if not, if he intends to do so shortly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20762/01]

Austin Deasy

Question:

64 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he had formal Government approval for the recent statement he made about the renegotiation of the EU Common Fisheries Policy. [20763/01]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Fahey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 63 and 64 together.

The Common Fisheries Policy review is already under way at EU level and will conclude with decisions at the end of 2002. My view on the need for radical change is fully supported by the Government, the Commissioner and fellow EU fisheries Ministers. Ireland's strategy on the review of the Common Fisheries Policy – CFP – is informed by the comprehensive proposals and recommendations of the CFP National Strategy Review Group chaired by Padraic White which the Government established in 1998.

The group published its proposals and recommendations last November in advance of both the Commission's Green Paper and the first substantive debate by Ministers at the European Council of Ministers on 18 June. This enabled Ireland to influence and input into the Commission's thinking. I have discussed our key priorities in the Green Paper in detail with Commissioner Fischler and my EU ministerial colleagues.

At the recent EU Council of Ministers I welcomed the fact that the Commission thinking reflected a number of Ireland's priorities. I also welcomed the Commission's acknowledgement of the need for improved governance within the CFP.

I emphasised, however, that the policy must be developed in parallel with social, regional, cohesion and other EU policies. The Green Paper focuses on the sustainability of resources, but the social and economic aspects of sustainable development must also be addressed. The CFP must take greater account of the wider objectives of accountability, clarity, transparency and coherence and I urged colleagues and the Commissioner to take account of this in our collective setting of new directions.

In line with the stated position of successive Governments, I made and will continue to make Ireland's case for a more equitable share of resources in the overall context of the relative stability principle.